V had changed so damn much since Jackie's death. Not that that was necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it might have been one of the only good things that had come from losing Jackie. But even still, Misty could remember what V used to be like. How new he'd felt, how eager to prove himself he'd been.
Him and Jackie… they'd been good for each other in a way. V was always trying so hard to come across as professional, while Jackie pulled him out of his shell bit by bit. They made for a great team, even if things didn't always go right.
And then everything went horribly, horribly wrong… and V became a different person, almost overnight. No, that wasn't entirely fair. He was still V. Still Jackie's V. But it was more like… more like he'd suddenly become her and Vik's V as well.
Before Konpeki Plaza, V's main connection to her was Jackie. And while Vik was Jackie's friend, he was really just V's ripperdoc. But after Jackie's death, that changed. V seemed to almost adopt them. He'd started treating them like family, like there was a deeper connection between them than had previously existed.
And in doing so… he'd made that connection real. Misty could still hardly believe how forceful he'd been about making sure she came to Jackie's Ofrenda. But then, Vik had mentioned to her how V was looking out for them, how some people who were after him had been watching the place and he'd taken care of them so she and Vik were safe.
That was who V was now. A protector. It had been who Jackie was as well, to be fair. Almost like… when Jackie died at V's side, some part of him had transferred over to V. It was like his will lived on in his partner.
At least, that's what Misty told herself to try and quiet the shame of how she'd been feeling recently. Part of her knew that it was just the grief talking. She couldn't really be falling for V or anything like that. She was just… sad. And V was a particularly bright spot in her life at the moment, on top of being her main connection to the man she'd lost.
It was no wonder that she'd found herself developing a bit of a crush on the edgerunner, but that was all it was… a simple crush that would hopefully go away with time.
Of course, V acting just like Jackie would have didn't help make that crush go away any faster. Telling her in no uncertain terms that she was going to Jackie's Ofrenda, promising to run interference with Mama Welles, making sure to pick her up and take her over to his garage ahead of time… even letting her pick out her offering first.
It was all so… Jackie-like that it honestly hurt. And Misty was pretty confident V didn't even know he was doing it. Or at least, he didn't know the effect his actions were having on her. God, she hoped he didn't. Jackie would… well, no. She was about to think Jackie would never forgive her for shacking up with his best friend, but the truth was… she could easily imagine Jackie giving her a grin and a thumbs up from on high, telling her to go for it like he was her wingman or something. Or maybe V's.
She would never forgive herself though. It would feel like tarnishing Jackie's memory, especially this soon after his death. So she couldn't. She just had to deal with these stupid emotions of hers until they faded.
As they join the Ofrenda in El Coyote Cojo, Misty hesitates while V strides forward. In the end, she lingers amongst the crowd, not wanting to make too much of a splash of things. She notices Jackie's mother noticing her, feels her eyes move over her and the bottle she's carrying in her hands… but in the end, the older woman doesn't say a word.
V had said he'd talked with Mama Welles, but Misty had to admit, she half-expected to be kicked out when she showed up with one of Jackie's more precious belongings in hand. It seemed that V had greater pull with Jackie's mom than she'd thought though, in the end.
When he reaches Mama Welles, he gives her a smile and a nod which the older woman returns for a moment before clasping her hands together and moving to the front of the shrine they've made for Jackie. Misty's breath catches in her throat and she finds herself studying it even as Jackie's mother speaks.
Mama Welles' words wash over her, going in one ear and out the other as Misty stares at Jackie's picture and the rest of the beautiful shrine.
It wasn't fair. It wasn't fucking fair. But then… Night City never was. Misty knew that of course. Didn't make it any easier to stomach.
When Mama Welles steps aside and V takes her place, Misty's attention snaps to him. She finds herself hanging off his every word as he stands there with a crooked smile and Jackie's book in hand. For Whom The Bell Tolls by Earnest Hemingway. Misty kind of wishes she'd read it now, though she'd tried before and it never really clicked for her. Jackie had loved it though… it made for a good offering, at least.
"Jackie Welles was a one of a kind human being. First time we met, he and I tried to klep the same car… completely independent of one another. Got pinched by badges before either of us could take a shot at the other. Barely made it out with our lives. Rest is history, heh."
Misty smiles fondly, remembering Jackie telling her that story. To hear him say it, he'd took pity on V and taken him under his wing. Though of course, Jackie only ever said that in front of V to rile him up… successfully sometimes, in fact.
That was another thing about this new V. He didn't get riled up anymore. He just got even. If he saw a problem, he fixed it, no questions asked. Like with whoever was watching her and Vik. And now with Mama Welles. No anger, no raised voice… just solving the issue and moving on.
"He was the best damn friend a man could have asked for. Loyal to a fault and more than willing to help you hide the bodies."
There's some smirks and some titters at that. Misty smiles too, even as V grins.
"He never settled either. He saw the top of the mountain and instead of giving up like so many others, he strove for it with all he had and against all odds."
Misty's smile shrinks at that. Yeah, that was her Jackie. But that was also what got him killed. That need to be the best. To be… a Night City Legend. Misty hated that part of Jackie as much as she loved it. She would give anything to have him back… but he wouldn't be Jackie without that complete willingness to go into every situation with his full chest no matter the cost.
"People saw him as a great big charmer. Always had a smile on his face. The kind of guy who never met a stranger, if you know what I mean."
Misty knew exactly what V meant. Jackie was more than willing to make friends with just about anyone who crossed his path so long as they didn't get on his bad side. He wouldn't hesitate to help someone in trouble either. That was just the kind of man he was.
"Most thought that was all there was to him though. They didn't see beyond the surface. Jackie wasn't just some great big lug with a broad smile… he was his own man, with sky high ambitions and a willingness to die reaching for the stars. In the end, it did him in… but I can't deny that he went out like a Legend, just as he always wanted."
Her throat closes up a little at that, even as V looks down at the book in his hands, a fond smile spreading across his face. One hand running across the cover, he turns towards the shrine for Jackie. When he speaks next, his tone makes it clear that he's reciting someone else's words.
"When you go to war as a boy, you have a great illusion of immortality. Other people get killed, not you. Then, when you are badly wounded for the first time, you lose that illusion."
Setting the book down, V reaches out and puts a hand on Jackie's urn.
"Rest easy, choom."
Before V can even step away, Mama Welles clears her throat and speaks up.
"I'd like to make a toast."
She takes up a shot glass from the table next to the shrine and V does the same.
"To my son."
"To Jackie."
They both knock it back and everyone else who has access to some form of liquor takes a drink as well. From there, things become a bit less organized and a bit less formal as everyone starts to spread out through the bar. Those who haven't given their offerings yet do so now and Misty moves with them, trying to make herself as small as possible as she places the bottle on the table in front of Jackie's picture and urn.
She doesn't intend to linger or anything like that, but its hard not to stop and stare at Jackie's face for a moment. She has pictures herself of course, so it's not like this is the last time she'll see him or anything, but-
"Buenas tardes."
Jolting like she's been caught with her hand in the cookie jar, Misty whips around to find that Mama Welles has snuck up on her… and V is nowhere in the vicinity. But then, perhaps that's why Mama Welles finally found the courage to walk up to Misty.
Misty braces for what she's sure is going to be a demand to leave the bar behind. And if that's what happens then she'll of course respect that. As much as she loved Jackie and as much as she wants to be here, this is still his mother's place of business and she has every right to kick out anyone she-
"… I haven't always been the kindest to you."
Wait what? Misty blinks owlishly, even as Mama Welles gestures her away from the shrine and over to a small table off to the side where she pours them both a drink.
"I guess… I guess I always hoped Jackie would get back with Camilla."
Yeah, Misty was aware. It was a point of contention between Jackie and his mother. Mama Welles always wanted Jackie to get back with the girl before Misty, but Jackie… Jackie wouldn't hear of it. Still, to hear Mama Welles say as much here and now… and that's only the tip of the iceberg.
"But it's not your fault Jackie and Camilla broke up. I took my frustration with my son out on you and that wasn't fair."
Now Misty is just… completely stunned. Was that… an apology? Maybe not a direct one sure, but it was far more of an apology than Misty ever expected to get from Jackie's incredibly obstinate mother.
Lifting her glass, Mama Welles tilts it in an upwards direction, looking up to the second floor of her bar for a moment as she tips it that way. Following her gaze, Misty flushes when she realizes V didn't go anywhere… he just moved upstairs, where he's currently standing next to Padre, Heywood's most well-known Fixer.
V tips his own drink back at Mama Welles and then glances over to Misty with a smile and a wink. Looking back to her, Jackie's mother sighs.
"I got my head out of my ass with V's help. He wouldn't leave well enough alone. Didn't want to see us fighting, I guess. And he's right. Jackie would want us to get along. To at least try… for his sake."
Misty lets out a shuddering breath, struggling to even believe what she's hearing. V really had changed after Jackie died. He'd gone from wet behind his ears, a chip on his shoulders, and something to prove… to being a damn miracle worker!
Even still, Misty feels like she has to at least try to give Mama Welles an out.
"You don't have to… tolerate me if you don't want to. I'm just happy I got to come to Jackie's Ofrenda. If you don't ever want to see my face again… I'll understand."
Mama Welles blinks… and then surprisingly enough, something in her face softens. She looks at Misty and instead of kicking her out… she shakes her head.
"No. My son loved you with all his heart. Wish I'd been smart enough to see it earlier so I could have pushed for him to make it official and marry you."
Misty's jaw drops open at that pronouncement, but if she thought that was going to be the most shocking thing Mama Welles said, she had another thing coming.
"Still, far as I'm concerned, Jackie's love is my love. You're family in my eyes… and we don't forget family. You're welcome here any time, you hear me? And I wouldn't mind talking to you from time to time as well. About Jackie… about anything really."
When Mama Welles sends Misty her contact information a moment later, she feels like she just might faint. But before that can happen, the older woman is shoving a shot glass her way.
"Now drink up already! To Jackie!"
"T-To Jackie!"
-x-X-x-
V smiles as he looks down to see Misty and Mama Welles drinking together. Glancing over to the side, he nods to the man he'd been conversing with for the last few minutes.
"Later, Padre."
"Good day, V."
With that, he heads downstairs and leaves El Coyote Cojo behind, knowing that Misty is in good hands where Mama Welles is concerned. Hopefully the two women would wind up even closer than last time, but V would settle for recreating the state of things as they'd been the first time around. Fixing Misty's relationship with Mama Welles had been one of the few unequivocally good things he'd managed to do in the past timeline before croaking.
With Jackie's Ofrenda behind him, V feels like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders, one he didn't even know was there. But… yeah, it had been eating at him that he couldn't have come back a little earlier. Arriving just after Jackie died… it wasn't fucking fair.
But then, Night City was never very fair. In the end, all V could do… was turn that unfairness to his favor, bit by bit, beat by beat.
**-x-X-x-**