conflictresolution

timeline: tomorrow (wednesday) 2 days @ event

( although the charms are a little more anonymous than the tablet, it's still pretty obvious who this message is from giving the context. )

im alive. are u home right now?

Yes, I returned a few minutes ago. Are you unharmed?

do raptor scratches count? i look like they clawed the heck out of me.

Edited 2023-09-20 04:19 (UTC)

You should come home and we'll clean you up.

im on my way. just. slow. i feel like im going to die. im so tired.

[Hmmm. He suspected he knew what that was about.]

Where can I meet you then?

do u know where the flower shop is? im going to sit at their steps to take a break. i have things w me.

I do. I will walk to retrieve you within ten minutes. What things?

[Keep her typing while he slipped into his coat again and headed out.]

pow pow. and a hoverboard.

( she won't say whose hoverboard it belongs to. but once he sees it for himself (if her saying so doesn't give it away already), he can take a wild guess. )

You're taking the boy leaving rather hard. Is there something we need to discuss?

[Silco knows. It doesn't need to be explained to him for assumptions to be made.]

i just wanted more of his stuff.

( half... truth. without ekko does mean less of his gadgets to snag for her own. or... borrow. or maybe share. not that she was thinking about sharing anything with him. but if the very rare chance they did decide to... share, maybe. )

Are you going to learn to ride a hoverboard now?

learned how weeks ago. he... taught me. sorta.

Ah. Clearly he developed a soft spot for you as soon as he arrived.

[Judging.]

( reading over that has her heart fluttering and jumping slightly out of her chest. it definitely shouldn't because it makes this whole situation even worse. )

u think so?

( and clearly just by her replying to his message that way is giving her some weird twisted hopefulness of the boy savior's true feelings. )

Edited 2023-09-23 15:31 (UTC)

Boys have only a few thoughts on their minds at that age. Perhaps he feels remorse for the bridge.

[Good thing to boy is gone. Silco's knife hadn't tasted blood lately, and it felt like it might be itchy right about now.]

oh. maybe.

( and because she is doing this the text-to-speech way, the charm is picking up her sentences then her redirecting. )

i miss... i mean. it sucks hes gone ha ha! cant mess with him anymore for fun. and steal his stuff. yep. oh well. who cares!!

You miss...?

what?

You know exactly what you started typing.

i also know the human stomach can dissolve razor blades. but whose really keeping up w anything im saying? scrambled egg brain over here!

I am. And I have no issue calling your motivations to question. Razorblades also have a habit of cutting up a person's insides long before they are dissolved.

( reading his words has her wincing, as if she can pull fast one on her father -- especially when her father is silco of all people. there's at least a few seconds to a minute of silence when another text arrives. )

if u want to question my motivations, can we... do that when we're home? not while im out here.

Edited 2023-09-27 22:26 (UTC)

As you wish. I am nearly to your location.

[He had been walking the whole time, of course. He was someone who multitasked when he needed to, and Jinx often was the kind of person that required him to have many irons in the fire all at once. Walking and texting was hardly strenuous.]

( since her father is nearby, she didn't think she needed to say anything further. so the girl quietly sits on the step, a finger brushing along the hoverboard which could be mistaken maybe she is inspecting it -- and it might be half truth. when silco finally sees her in his viewing, her appearance is... well, terrible.

her hair while in braids like usual, strands are sticking out everywhere and some loops are coming undone. her complexion is horrid too, way paler than she normally is and glistening from her sweat. jinx wasn't kidding when she said she felt death is knocking on her door because she definitely looks the part. lifting up her head when she hears her father's footsteps, jinx forces herself to stand -- wincing over the soreness of her muscles and the claw marks she put upon herself. )

[He moved better than he should, mostly because his wounds were at a point that he could generally ignore the itch of them. He no longer had to wear as much bulk to the bandages, which allowed him to move far more smoothly and slip through the shadows. Of course, when he was seeking out Jinx, he walked with confidence as if daring someone to make an issue with him or his daughter.

And Jinx was... well, expected. She appeared paler than usual and her hair was a mess. Those were all signs that she had been through a significant experience that had not been kind to her mental state. The maze had not been kind to any of them, but he made certain to hide his own ill-feelings about it in order to approach his daughter instead.

He walked over to where Jinx was standing and examined her disheveled appearance with a keen eye before he touched the raised welts of her nails.]

You need treatment. Careful and measured.

[He meant Shimmer, but there was something soft to his tone. If she wanted to talk about what happened, he would listen. However, his priority was to whisk her back to their home.]

Gather your things. We're leaving.

( it's strange really. the closer silco is to her, the more her body has the urge to just collapse in front of him. jinx had been behaving tough and brave which felt like weeks now. and what she would give to just to be home, lie on the couch to either cry everything out or just sleep even more from exhaustion. but she can't do that now -- the locals are still lingering where they are and she needs to continue to appear strong. if the two of them were to either rule this city or the next over, she can't express any weakness. and while her stance is showing strength, the look on her face is the opposite. she's tired, she feels broken, ripped apart, and... small.

blinking away the tears that's forming suddenly at her eyes, she nods to him and collects both pow-pow and ekko's hoverboard. his daughter once again whimpers quietly in pain, but she fights through it -- somewhat waddling when she walks. her legs are damaged the most when it comes to markings, stumbling in her footing here and there due to the numbness she's getting. but... look tough, she tells herself. pretend the waddle and the stumbling is just... part of how she moves. after all, people already think she's a loon or an oddball. so why not play up the part? )

[Once they shifted into motion to head back to the house, he noted her stumbling stance, and when it seemed to him that she might collapse, he stopped walking. He was well aware that Jinx was the type that prioritize protecting him and maintaining a strong appearance while in public, which was admirable. Yet, it would do neither of them any good if she did collapse in the streets.

He held out a hand towards her.]

Let me carry the glider. That will free up your hands to utilize your firearms should a threat make itself present.

[It had little to do with any potential threat. He wanted to relieve her of weight, and if he had a handle of the glider, he could either hide or abandon it should she actually collapse and he had to carry her the rest of the way.]

( there is a slight hesitation with giving up the glider to her father. knowing his thoughts on ekko, he might simply break the board in two and toss it in a garbage can somewhere. regardless though, she hands it over to him then readjusts her machine gun's strap.

this is definitely a lot better all considered. she just needs to make it home and then she can fall apart privately... somehow. because jinx doesn't want to seem weak to silco either (despite the fact he's seen her in that state countless times) and she wants to prove that she can handle anything -- the maze, the withdrawals, and the "break up".

tightening the grip of her strap with both hands, the prodigy forces her body to push on. maybe if she preoccupies her mind with thoughts of a soft cozy bed and maybe something to eat, the walk will end faster. )

Edited 2023-09-29 05:12 (UTC)

[He continued to hold his hand out expectantly despite her hesitation. He knew that she would be hard-pressed to refuse him, and he liked to think himself not unreasonable when it came to his demands. The glider would be safe with him unless they came upon an enemy in which case he might utilize the length and weight of it as a good weapon.

Once it was handed over, he tucked the glider under his arm and held it there. She was moving better without the added weight, and he kept his pace the same as hers as they moved through the streets. It was almost a leisurely walk given the pace that they had to take, and despite the fact that she didn't have her usual manic energy, he didn't encourage a faster pace either.]

You should have a warm bath when we get home. I'll make you something to eat.

( a bath does sound great right about now. although the downside of the bath is her hair. luckily, they have enough products for her to maintain it the way she wanted but the energy to deal with it after the bath is nonexistent. maybe it would be better if she chopped it all off and then throw the pair of scissors to a mirror -- it'll give her some pleasure to watch something shatter and crumble knowing she's the cause of it.

...

jinx isn't going to do any of that, obviously. well not the hair cutting part anyway. it's just her exhaustion and her mental state talking. his daughter nods to his proposal nevertheless and keeps close -- not too close because onlookers but enough in case she trips over herself or something. )

[While he made no mention of it or even felt the need to fill the air with words, Silco was keenly aware of her exhaustion next to him. He held himself up as he normally would, unconcerned about moving through the streets and putting aside his own swirling thoughts to consider how Jinx was doing. Badly, obviously.

He wasn't about to inquire at this time, not with the potential for listening ears. People in the streets did look their way but only acknowledged them with a curious or suspicious look. Any real conversation would have to wait until they had completed the journey home.

So as long as she kept to her feet and consistently moved without looking like she was going to collapse or require assistance, he held his peace for now. They made good enough progress and within a few blocks, their residence came into sight.]

( if she had the energy, she would sprint the rest of the way there, kiss the floorboards, and scream in pure joy. but instead, jinx will keep the happiness within her than letting it all out. when the two of them are finally in the home with the door shut tight behind them, the teen toes off her boots and immediately drops her weapon onto the floor -- it thuds when it lands with a possible dent or scratch to the weapon now. but she'll buff it out later, pow-pow is probably too exhausted to care about being damaged up anyway.

her eyes stare straight on to the couch and wastes no time to head for it, despite that she did agree to bathe just moments before. she'll get to that.... eventually. but for her right now, nothing is calling to her more than this cushion. so she flops onto the sofa, head first in a muffled long groan with one arm and leg dangling off the furniture. )

Edited 2023-09-29 16:25 (UTC)

[Once inside the relative safety and security of their home, Silco eased the glider from under his arm and leaned it against the wall next to the door. He cared little for it, but he was hopeful that Jinx would either use it or break it down for parts so that she could build more of her bombs and other knick-knacks.

He stooped and collected the strap of her gun and put it on a hook so that it was less likely anyone was going to trip on it. He approached where she tossed herself on the couch, resting his hands on the back as he leaned over to examine her. He issued a low hum to announcement himself before standing again.]

You'll have a new boy soon, I expect. [She was at that age, wasn't she? He knew it was coming, but he had hoped her stunted maturity would delay her interest in boys.

At least he could enjoy the 'meet the dad' moments that were in his future.]

I don't care about him.

( she mumbles this onto the cushion of the sofa. and if the funhouse expose anything about herself, it's definitely her feelings regarding towards ekko. there's obvious interest there mixed in with their rivalry -- which makes things complicated to say the least. )

He's no one...

( even with that statement, she sniffles to hold back the reality of him... no longer being here. and although jinx knows deep down he didn't leave aldrip on his own, she's still so ticked off he left her after they kissed and cozed up together. she was so dumb to think good things would come to her like that so easily. )

Is that so?

[There were plenty of evidence to contradict her claim, mostly her reactions to the boy leaving. Jinx was quick to grow attached after all, and it was a rare person that welcomed her in without the usual fear or suspicion. That she had bore the clear signs of some physical intimacy only made his teeth grit and on some level be thankful the boy was gone.

Jinx was easier to parent with when she was moping.]

One of the few who can put the pressure on you on who is the smartest in the room. Your constant clashes over the years have lead the ground work for varied interactions. It's not unusual to dislike losing that.

[He leaned his hip against the side of the couch and crossed his arms over his chest.]

After all, the Enforcer isn't the same level of interesting for you. [Maybe for him.]

( she says nothing to his statements because there is such a thing called "pleading the fifth". but that doesn't stop her from shifting her head to peer up at her father, eyes narrowing slightly. it's not in a threatening manner by any means. it's just... a look she wants to give to him, because she can get away with doing it sometimes. )

...

( and why would he bring up the enforcer? ugh. what a disgusting thought of snuggling up to her of all people. she would much rather jump off a bridge than be caught dead in bed with her. it's already painful enough she was semi-nice to her during the maze. but that was only because her presence wasn't priority at the time -- getting out was. still... it makes her want to shudder. )

Edited 2023-09-30 01:48 (UTC)

[The fact that she doesn't have any words for him despite his own was conversation enough for him. Her silence was telling and even damning, forcing him to reassess his initial ideas about the boy and about Jinx as well. Things had progressed too quickly and now this was the result. He had underestimated that little bug, and perhaps if the kid arrived again (was it even possible? Probably), he might have to take direct action.

At least he earned her usual teenage disgusted look. All was normal on that front. He set his hands on the back of the couch and leaned over it.]

Nothing to say on the matter? You were far more candid in the forest.

( grunting in frustration, jinx forces her body to hop itself off the couch and turning to silco with whatever strength she has left in her. biting her lower lip to suppress her giggling from becoming too obnoxious, his daughter cocks her head to the side in a slow yet unsettling lean. )

Eh heh heh, what? You think I'm like my big sister? — That I'll just go googly-eyed for the first cute squishy face I see?

( taking a step away in a weird waltz motion, she ventures off to their little open kitchen -- her hand tracing along the counter until it halts in front of a drawer. )

Eveeerryybody knoooows a love like that is just a temporary infatuation. A firecracker that'll fizzle out after a few seconds. And believe me, I know a thing or two about sparks...!

( her fingers curl on the knob of said drawer, tugging it out to reveal all the knives they store inside. jinx clicks her tongue over the roof of her mouth as she rummages through, finally deciding on a chef's knife. the blue haired girl lifts the tool up in a bird's eye view -- inspecting the blade so carefully and delicately. )

It's why I left him the first chance I got...

( her tone twists eerily somber yet her grip on the handle tightens. )

'Cause people are evil. They make feel things, screw you all up, and before you know it? They abandon you. Make you feel... like a piece is missing inside of you and breaking you apart. Just like you said.

( — abruptly though, she twirls back around to meet her father's face again, the knife now tuck behind her back while standing in such a cutesy little manner. )

So why would I go back to the same ol' lesson when I aced it already, huh?!

( a beat. )

Besides if I ever see him again, I'll make him regret everything.

( wearing a smile so dangerously tight, his daughter lifts up the knife high over her head only to swing it down hard onto the table so it'll stick between it's wooding. and her gaze is so... bizarrely fixated on silco that could make anyone's skin crawl if they were an on-looker. so thank goodness it's just the two of them in this home and no one else. )

Edited 2023-09-30 19:15 (UTC)

I believe you wish you could be more like your sister, but that's not who you are.

[If the maze had taught him anything, it was a reminder of how difficult and worthwhile it had been taking Jinx in as a child and raising her to be a young adult. He had watched her struggle to the point where she was at, where she could grow attached and then fight down the continual paranoia that it might not last or it would be turned against her.

He turned and watched her move to the kitchen, easing himself to half sit against the back of the couch. He had no reason to interfere with her progress, even going so far as he shrug his way out of his jacket and leave it on the back of the couch for the time being.]

I know. You're young, and part of youth is experiencing heart-break and the flutter of infatuation. You are free to live a life where you can make mistakes to learn from them.

[As she approached with the knife, he lifted his hands and began to roll his shirt sleeves up towards his elbows casually. It wasn't a look he bothered much with these days, but a few years ago, it was a far more exclusive look. Her show of damaging the furniture was not unusual, and he didn't even flinch.]

Will you? I'll assist you in such an endeavor should he return.

( while she has a complicated relationship with self-love, he is right that she wishes to be like vi some days. because (in her twisted prospective) the whole stinking town adores her older sister. she's caring, helpful, a hero, has a girlfriend, and her own little "powder" as much she doesn't want to see the truth of it.

she has everything she could ever want while jinx continuously gets "jinxed" whenever she tried to follow her sister's footsteps. it often led for her to believe she wasn't meant to be like her sister -- she is different after all. but just once in her life, can't she have something sweet? just a little taste of victory? jinx had her share, sure, but not as much as she craves for.

yanking the knife out of its slot, she drags the blade across its surface to carve little zig-zags and lines. the boring table is in need of some better decor anyway. )

One wing for each of us.

( jinx says this now and her words are most likely true to some degree. she wants to shoot him down or at least kick him in the stomach if he shows up again and she very may well do that. but to put an end to him? with a fickle heart like hers, who knows if death will come to the boy savior in the long run. )

Edited 2023-09-30 19:51 (UTC)

[Silco made an amused sound as she agrees. It had seemed like she might protect the boy and want to keep it personal, and he was prepared to make an argument that he had as much experience with the disruptions of the Firelights as she did. The only place his argument might have fallen flat was that he kept to the shadows rather than in direct conflict.

After all, he paid other people to be hands on. That's where he thrived, and that's where he preferred to be.]

So you are willing to share. [He made his usual hmm noise.] I wasn't certain with how the maze set up your mindscape. The door on the boy shut rather rapidly.

( and it's that right there that stills everything -- her unhinged demeanor, the knife, maybe even her breathing. jinx is quiet for possibly a second or two before saying simply: )

I don't know any door.

( except she knows which door he is talking about because she wandered in there herself when it got created. somehow. maybe it just manifested because he was on her mind the weekend before. )

[His fingers stilled at her own inactivity, watching her to see what she would do. He knew better than anyone that pushing her could sometimes earn a fitful even violent response. It wouldn't be the first time she had stabbed him when her mental state deteriorated.]

No? I could tell you about it if you so desired to know about it.

[He had no issue calling her bluff, even if a small sliver of himself did wonder if she wasn't aware of it. It was hard to tell given that their guide in the whole affair had been a doll of Jinx.]

I thought you said I needed treatment.

( she bluntly reminds him as she chisels one last little thing upon the table before looking at his direction. is this her way of evading this conversation? oh definitely. because while her words are true on her belief of romance being a temporary sensation, her bolting out of ekko's place that morning, and currently carrying a lot of anger over him, that room is filled with all the good qualities she sees in ekko.

the raw moments of him smiling when she use to spy on him and his gang, him working on whatever invention and how... nice his muscles would twitch, the two of them lying on the beach together when he arrived in aldrip, the casino, their kiss, him holding her during the night... — all of that is stored inside.

hence why it shut so quickly when they approached. the funhouse worked in an unusual way that not even jinx could explain it if asked. because while she was her own person and ducking around to avoid a deformed looking doctor alone, the doll version of her was also her in some fashion. she was with vi and silco during their search but not with them at the same time. )

Edited 2023-09-30 20:39 (UTC)

Indeed, I did.

[That's all he would say about that at present, knowing she was avoiding the conversation. It was far less dramatic than when he had called her out in the woods and she had had all manner of girlish antics about dodging his questions. He supposed that he should, as this point, let it go given that the boy was gone. If he was fortunate, the boy wouldn't return either.

However, it was clearly still on her mind no matter how much she ducked and dodging his questioning about the subject, which might have been why he wasn't yet ready to put it aside. Distraction was one thing, but blowing up a building and having a mindscape that closed off to hind details was quite another.]

Are we going to have a repeat of bringing down a building in the near future? We should have you take it to the forest or the caves.

[Even on the walk home, he'd seen how the locals had stared at Jinx.]

( her eyebrow quicks then, leaving the knife on the table as she returns back to the couch -- energy leaving her again. )

You heard about that?

( possibly a silly question since the building structure was in the village. it's almost impossible to not hear the destruction when it could had happen right outside someone's window or doorstep. but the fact he was able to link the incident to her is what surprises her somewhat. because jinx isn't the only chosen around with mystical powers that could bring a home or whatever down to rubble. but maybe silco had seen so much of her explosions that he can point out her craft just by seeing or hearing it. )

Heard, saw the aftermath and discussed it with curious onlookers.

[It wasn't that he knew exactly that it was Jinx, but the timing was suspicious and her habit of blowing up things when upset was well-known. There was a reason he had dedicated previously abandoned part of the Undercity to her ticker area. It was one of the few places he had investigated that could withstand the experimentation of explosives.

Plus, Silco knew what her explosions tended to look like. Parts had graffiti on them and if one knew where to look, it wasn't difficult to put two-and-two together.]

We will find you a place where you can let loose then. It seems you need a good workshop sooner than we need anything else.

But I already have a workshop. ... Sorta.

( slouching in her seat, her arm droops over her forehead as she takes a small breather. she probably shouldn't had acted out the way she did under her current condition. now she's more drained than ever!

jinx shuts her eyes behind her forearm to take in the somewhat soothing pressure she has with her arm to the head, while inhaling and exhaling steadily. mentally, she counts to herself with each given breath. one....two...three....hold. then out....two... three. )

— My hideout, remember? I'm still building it.

How does it currently stand up to dynamite?

[He knew the answer to that, and he knew that it was a work in progress. They were in a city with meager supplies, which complicated the usual activities that they would both undertake. He was going to have to take drastic measures soon by either opening a business of his own or start paying kids to spy for him.

There were resources, but most of them he didn't find particularly useful compared to what he was used to. Perhaps he should lower his standards and find a big simpleton to be his muscle for a little while.

He finally pushed off of the couch, walking over to a part of the kitchen near the wall and nudged the floor until one of the boards squeaked, and he could lean over and pry it up from the floor. He pulled out a sack, though the purple glow of Shimmer could be seen through the material.]

I was more thinking the cave for you, assuming we stay here.

( how will it hold up against a wooden platform? not at all and although her face is covered, her lips are still visible -- frowning over her silent answer. she hears her father shifting off the sofa and uses this opportunity to lie flat on the couch again. )

Cave could be good. I guess...

( his daughter trails off in a mumble with a light sigh escaping her lips. ) — It's gotta be high up.

[Silco returned to stand at the back of the couch again, setting his sack of materials there. He opened it and pulled out a vial of Shimmer and a reusable needle and syringe set. With experienced hands, he drew up a measured amount of Shimmer into the syringe and tapped the side to remove any air bubbles.]

Or we will find you a city where there is a workshop space more fitting nearby. I will see you have your freedom to ticker as you please.

[He nodded his head. Her previous set up had been perfect for her needs, but that simply meant they had to build her somewhere just as useful.]

I know.

( she should had probably kept her eyes shut or her face covered. because when she removes her arm to peek over, her muscles tighten slightly. the good news is the funhouse taught her to be a lot braver about needles and having something in or out her veins. but the spook of it still lingers just a smidge. shrinking a little, his daughter covers her eyes again -- doing her best to not think about what's about to come. the teen knows he won't do it as rough or sharp like singed did in the surgery, so she takes a deep breath to swallow down her slight fear. )

Nothing's happening... Nothing's happening...

( maybe if she says this enough, she won't notice the shimmer pain that will course through her in the next few seconds. )

[As he had been sedated to unconsciousness when the Doctor had saved Jinx's life, he had not endured his daughter's reaction towards needles. He could assume, of course, as he had been present when Singed had had to heal grievously injured Zaunites. Progress had to come when someone had nothing to lose after all.

Still, he was keenly aware of Jinx's reaction, but he dared not ask if she had been conscious at all for the procedure. He knew based on what he was seeing in front of him, and he sighed from his nose as he capped the needle and set aside the vial of Shimmer. He moved around to the front of the couch and seated himself on the arm, reaching out to set a hand on the top of her head.]

Nothing is happening, Jinx. However, this will help you and the withdrawal symptoms that you're experiencing.

[He would likely need her to sit up, though Shimmer was very very versatile and could enter the body almost any different way.]

( the gentle touch is comforting and it sets her heartrate to lower its frantic speed, a slow breath leaves her again through her lips while giving him a faint nod. )

See? He said so himself. It's to help. It'll make me feel better. Did ya hear that? It's not gonna be like before and not like... that place in the maze. It's fine.

( so very carefully, she sits up right then drops her arm. but still, she keeps her eyes shut as she continues to ramble on to... whoever she's talking to. )

— If I was a kid, I'd be crying, Numbskull. You'd probably cry if you had to go through this.

[He was very used to the voices in her head, though since the maze, he supposed he had a better idea about who they were and how they were defined in her mental state. There was the soft spoken boy and the loud insulting one for the most part. He already suspected he knew who the voices belonged to, given that tragedy that brought her into his care in the first place.]

It won't be like before. You inject my eye almost every day, so I know what it's like.

[He uncapped the needle and gently took her arm, tightening his grip just above the crook of her elbow to raise the vein with his thumb. He listened to her rambling and gently but firmly slipped the needle into her skin and into the vein. There was a flash of blood in the syringe, he released his thumb and inject the meager amount of Shimmer into her vein.]

( it feels like a spark of electricity getting shot in her vein, her eyes widen quickly as her pupils, once dull, now sparkle rapidly between pink and purple. she doesn't scream at the feeling, but jinx yelps halfway before biting back the rest.

then somehow, the teen sinks into a low giggling fit as her head droops -- her entire body feeling fuzzy and warm as the serum tickles through her bloodstream. the pain of it subsides and her mind feels afloat, thoughts a little clouded but not so much she can't comprehend everything.

a long and low sigh escapes her lips, wanting to sink further on the couch but doesn't since silco still has a hold of her arm. but she leans her head back over the sofa -- taking in the feeling of "invincibility". )

Edited 2023-10-05 14:24 (UTC)

[It was enough to provide a reprieve from the withdrawal symptoms but not enough to get a real high from. It would, of course, heal damage that she might have sustained, even bruises and scrapes. He remained calm and remained holding off the vein a few more seconds after her yelp.

He released his grip and recapped the needle to sterilize later. He patted her wrist as he rose from his seat next to her to hide the items back under the floor boards, not willing to risk anyone seeing his miniature stash. He was going to have to allocate each dosage carefully to get Jinx through until he could gain a new supply.

He returned to the couch and watched her.]

The skin itch has subsided for now?

( it's like she had forgotten what it's like to feel normal. and to think her sister suggested how she didn't need shimmer at all. come to think of it, what's so bad about this stuff again anyway? from what she's experiencing right now for one, is her mind drifting in a nice and smooth wave with no voices (that won't last).

and if she wasn't so mentally drained from the maze, jinx would instantly jump sky high or jog. maybe tomorrow she'll go out for a run first thing to get her legs back in shape along with her daily workout. and speaking of bruises and scrapes, there's no pain from them either as they gradually heal up. )

Mm-hmm...

( jinx hums an answer, suddenly overcome to just relax on this couch and curl up for a bit. but she still needs to eat and bathe. )

[Silco hadn't been working in the Doctor for years on end without knowing what Shimmer did to a person and the weening process. After all, it was bad for business to kill off those who were providing him the funding to rise to the top and drag the other Chem-Barons with him. Addiction was powerful, and even when weaned off, he knew that the hunger would gnaw at a person the rest of their life normally. The alternative was losing Jinx, and he couldn't face that.

As she relaxed into the couch, he returned to set a hand to the back of her head lightly. It was best she ride the sensation of normalcy on her own.]

When you feel up to it, go and have a bath. I'll prepare a meal for us.

[With that, he left to head to their small kitchen to put together a meal. Practice made perfect with that.]

( this time she doesn't answer, but she soaks in his gentle touch of her head even if it's brief. the sweet ambience of her father moving onto their kitchen, opening and close cabinets, and the clanking of silverware or tools to prep to cook is simply to die for. it's an odd and a rare satisfaction to her really. jinx's love of chaos and mayhem will always be the number one thing, but... sometimes. sometimes something lulled like this can be smoothing for her. it's definitely something she can live with long term, but every once in awhile it isn't so bad.

two minutes passes or so, and jinx finally yanks herself off the couch in a lazy fashion. the girl still says nothing, although makes her way to their bathroom -- arms moving in a see saw notion in a listless manner then disappears inside. )

( so after jinx attended to scott's party, she hadn't really been home for approximately three days. now in truth, she did inform silco to not wait for her to come back home from the party. she just... didn't say how long she will be out exactly. but she's been around -- trying to figure out how to do her tasks and gathering supplies and what not. jinx decided to maybe come up with something sorta like a vending machine for the village. for those who are dirt poor in their finances that they can't afford a drink or a snack. that's giving back to the community right? she can buy the items, stuff them in her machine, and gain a little bit back for the item to rebuy them again. )

( hopefully that's acceptable enough for the stupid council, but today she's deciding to take a break from working and come home for the day. and besides, jinx still needed to yell at fishbones for making that embarrassing network post while she was in and out of her reality. she vaguely remembers inviting someone over while silco was out? it explains the strawberry cake that appeared out of nowhere in the kitchen. anyway now that she is back to her regular senses, his daughter is waiting for silco to come home so they can prep for dinner. and whenever silco comes in, he will spot jinx up in the rafters doing some poses with a hammock -- stretching. )

[Jinx not coming home for a few days was not unusual in Zaun, and there was plenty of trouble in the way of gambling, parties and games that one could be lost in. After her run in with Jerry and the Council, he expected that she would need an escapism in order to reorient herself and focus again. She was now eighteen, so by all standards, she was an adult capable of making all the decisions that came with that role.

If anything, her absence motivated him to slide back into the comfort of working long hours. He was making connections with some of the locals and setting up the businesses that had been abandoned to continue operation smoothly. If he wasn't working on one of the three locations, he was bringing his work home in order to continue there in the comfort of the house. All reminders of the assault by Jerry was long gone, cleaned and repaired. The place was neat and tidy as he always liked it, and as was never truly able to remain that way with a teenager.

He walked in the door with books stuffed with paper under his arm before stopping at the usual presence of Jinx in the place. A quick glance up as he passed through the house to the rafters allowed him to identify her, and he set his books down on the table.]

Home again, I see. Are you interested in a meal?

( at the sounds of her father coming home, jinx swings herself out of her stretching position to sit upright. her smile beams down at him as she swings back and forth along the hammock. thank goodness these things are made for it, otherwise the whole thing would just come down and they'll have to get another ceiling. )

Yeah!! I'm so starving...! — What are we cooking together tonight?

( while the two of them differ in interests, cooking has become a thing they share together. and it's been rather lovely and homey to make food with him -- even though sometimes she cuts herself on accident or slices something too thick or too thin. )

[She was in a good mood. That's as he expected given she was keeping - mostly - out of trouble, wandering about the city doing whatever, and enjoying partying. She seemed as excitable as ever, and that meant any issues with the Council were simply simmer until he could hopefully make inroads in the city to allow them a safe and fortified strike against them.

He shrugged out of his jacket and hung it on the back of a chair before he was folding up his sleeves up his forearms.]

Fresh catch from today and something with potatoes.

[He was already walking to the kitchen to start the prep. He knew that Jinx would join him because this was something that they could work together on and benefit from.]

How is your city restoration going?

Yum ♪!

( she does one more swing for good measure before hopping off her mound -- landing a bit ungracefully but whatever. and as predicted, jinx does follow behind to the kitchen with a light wobble/limp to her step but behaves as if it's nothing out of the ordinary. she had gotten use to the soreness from her hips to her thighs and she stopped whining about it a day or so ago when it was a bit worse. )

Oh, I think it's going preeettty swell...! I know some people and Fishbones said somethin' about making a boat and blahblahblaaaaah. — But I thought what about makin' a machine thing that'll have snacks and drink in it. Ya know for the poor saps that can't afford anything. One coin can give ya what you want.

( aka a vending machine. )

AND!! I can get a lil' back. Everyone wins!

[Silco was already setting aside the potatoes that he had decided upon, using a knife to begin to peel them. He, of course, kept the skins because he was not one to waste food given how he had grown up. While he didn't mention it, he noted the wobble in Jinx's step but for the moment, he decided it wasn't worth being questioned. There were plenty of explanations.]

Yes, the Council has prompted some to consider fleeing rather than fighting. They mistake the idea that things will be better anywhere else.

[He nodded his head for her idea of how to work off the debt that the Council set. It was her choice how she decided to do so, and he was already using her contribution as a gauge of how stringent this place would be when it came to assisting in the development of this place.]

We shall see how successful it will be in the future then. You found enough metal for you to create such a machine?

Oh, yeah yeah!! ( she says enthusiastically as she takes one potato from the stack to help him with the peeling. )

A new friend at the party gave me a present. It was a bag filled with all sorts of gears and scraps.

( jinx opens a drawer with the kitchen tools to rummage through her own knife to use. ) I'll even have enough leftover to work on our monkey friend.

( but will that friend become a butler and be a living thing? that's... debatable. although, she hadn't done a thing with the hexgem crystal since she was brought here. maybe she should attempt to mess with it for once. )

Good. Supplies are still hard to come by, but with your junkyard, we can look into changing that.

[It was interesting to hear her talk about friends. Most of the people that worked for him either didn't like Jinx all that much, or they were afraid of her chaos. Of course, those same people appreciated her being on their side in a conflict much of the time as she was effective if she had time to plan her explosives and set necessary traps.

Still, friends were not something that he encouraged actively. It wasn't for selfish reasons so much as he knew the dangers of friendship, and the war wounds he carried from them basically had him swearing off of them. She was fully capable of taking her own risks.]

Are you going to utilize the gemstone's energy? If you need something specific to engage it, I can seek what you might need.

You betcha!

( finding the knife of her choosing, she begins to peel the potato. in...which doesn't look smooth at all, the potato is looking rather jagged with her accidentally cutting too deep but it's whatever. )

Once I fixed up our butler, I'm thiiiiinnkkinnng jamming the gemstone in him. As ya know, a test. See how they work together. If that's good, then maybe if I just play my cards right, the Council will give us more hextech.

( finishing with one potato, she grabs another. )

They gotta be the ones giving us our stuff, right? If they're handing us Shimmer, why not the crystals too?

[He took his time with the potato in his hand, his knife moving deftly to remove the skin. Once the peel was off, he moved on to the next potato in the group, turning and rotating it in one hand.]

Are you certain the gemstone won't cause it to explode?

[He shook his head at the idea of the Council giving them hextech.]

Imagine them giving them the seeds of their own future destruction. I am not convinced it is them, though I could think them signing off on the requests.

[On to the next potato.]

After all, aren't we here to be rehabilitated or repent for our crimes?

Oh, you worry too much!

( she says, doing a light arm bump to him. which she shouldn't do cause they're both holding knives and can nick themselves. but her father isn't a clumsy buffoon so therefore, it's perfectly okay to do this. )

It's not gonna explode at all. Just a teeny tiny lil' tap to wake it up and it oughta stay stabilized. Not like I'm going in with an axe or somethin'.

( and even then, it should still stay in tact and do it's thing. supposedly. )

And I guess we are but if they're trying to convince we did something wrong, then they got rocks for a brain. Bringing independence to our people was a good thing.

( finished with her jagged potato, she drops in the pile with silco's -- clearing her throat a little. )

Oh and uh, I got something to tell you over dinner. Once we eat. I'm sure you got a lotta stuff to tell me too! Like how work's been going and... things.

( is this casual sounding enough? making it sound what she has to tell him is an every day thing and not anything huge or life changing. because it isn't life changing!! everything is going to stay the exact same except... an additional person being in her life. no big. )

Edited 2023-10-23 14:32 (UTC)

I'm your father. It's my job to have concerns.

[He didn't even move with the bump from her, and his hands remained steady as he peeled the poles of his potato before setting it with the others and began to peel the last one. Normally he didn't use knives like this, but he had gotten quite versatile since he had arrived in this place.]

Ah yes, because none of your little past experimental projects have gone awry, have they?

[He hummed in agreement. It shouldn't have mattered the sacrifice that was needed to force Zaun into it's own light, to exist outside of the shadow of Piltover's iron fist. At least he had thought that way for much of his life. Then he realized there were limits to a dream, and he paid the ultimate price for it. He hadn't allowed himself to acknowledge how he and Vander had stumbled over the same thing, another parallel to their lives.]

Their opinion on our activities is based on their own bias. Perhaps they would take Piltover's side and remain the chains around our necks.

[He paused at the pole of his potato at her attempt at casualness. He knew her well enough to know that tactic, and his blue eye skated over to watch her from the corner for a few seconds.]

Or you could tell me while we make dinner. Is there such a difference?

( she supposes he has a point. parents do have roles and just like their children do, and fathers especially are meant to worry for their daughters. )

Nnnnoooo... they haven't! ... Lately. They've been fine.

( although her only project so far had been the monkey and the vending machine since she's been here. her toy monkey still jitters once it turns on and she is still figuring out why the door doesn't shut in her vending machine. )

— And there is a difference. It's better to, uh, talk when we're sitting and not slicing things up or slapping this baby on the stove. Less work for the brain.

( is she stalling a little bit? yes. because while she wants to tell silco about quentin, she hadn't figured out how exactly. the whole relationship between the two of them happened in such a rocket speed that jinx is still fumbling to catch up. but silco doesn't need to know that little nugget of information though.

she can make it seem as if the two of them had been chatting for a while.... — although the timing won't line up so well given her heartbreak over ekko (which she's still getting over, by the by. boy, what a messy girl she is, huh? having a crush on two guys, made out with both, slept in both of their beds, but had sex with one of them. all in the matter of what, 2 months apart?). but no, no! she can make this look good. jinx just needs to make to sure this math equation makes sense and all the variables are in the right place.)

Edited 2023-10-24 14:27 (UTC)

[Silco made a low hum from his nose that state that he didn’t entirely believe her declaration. It seemed to him that progress with mechanics and inventions required something to break, explode or fall apart at least once. It wasn’t as if this place had a good supply of discarded junk either after all, so she was likely having to put her items together with subpar items.]

And what do you consider ‘lately’, hmm?

[He inclined his head slightly at her, watching from the corner of his eyes as she deflected him. He was a naturally patient man as he had to be in order to survive as long as he had. However, he was also an aggressive opportunist as well, and sometimes those two personality traits came into conflict with one another.

However, he also knew that pressuring her now wouldn’t be worth the effort. She wanted him to wait, and there didn’t seem to be harm in that. After all, her tone and evasiveness made it clear that it was some kind of announcement. Cooking left him with plenty of time to consider what it was that would require him sitting, and there were honestly a small handful of subjects that would fall into that category.]

So sitting and slicing rather than standing a slicing. Very well. I will wait.

[He set down the last potato and moved to the small stovetop to light the burner and set a pan on top so that he could sear the catch of the day – a yellow-skinned fish. He added some spices to the top of the fillet and set it down in some hot oil. He had no issue with raw, but he was also far more interested to see if Jinx would hold her silence on the announcement for the entirety of cooking.]

Like.... a few days. Ten?

( but hey! at least he agreed to wait and with that, jinx will be forever grateful. it will by her a little more time to try and word everything right in her head. although, it's a bit hard to do when the voices are ripping apart her inner rehearsal and sticking their own versions in -- which are just as awful if not worse.

but anyhow, fast-forwarding this roleplay just wee bit -- jinx continues to help her father cook everything and she darts off to set the table. alcohol for him and juice for her (except maybe she should down the hatch too). again, she's not scared to tell him, it's more so... she isn't sure how he would react. the teen knows silco, sure, but sometimes he can be pretty tricky. with the table, food, and drinks all ready to be eaten and sipped away, jinx makes her way to her side of the table. except when she takes her seat, she does it extremely carefully and in a tiny wince before she can settle right. okay, maybe she is still a little sore from her... adventure. )

This all looks so good!! I can't wait to dig into this.

Edited 2023-10-30 03:55 (UTC)

Going from strength to strength then.

[He restrained his curiosity as they cooked and set out the meal on the table. He had a top three reasons why she had to wait and what was so important that he needed to be occupied to hear whatever news she had. He wiped his hands on a towel before he moved to join Jinx at the table. He took his seat and reached for his drink first, taking a sip.]

Off you go then, Jinx.

[He was slower to dig into his meal, instead savouring his drink over the food for now.]

( almost immediately, she shoves the potatoes straight in her mouth -- chowing down her usual barbaric way that she can't necessarily help. it's the shimmer to blame really. it makes her behave so rabid when it comes to food, but thank goodness people don't seem to mind too much when she's out eating with them. humming happily, she looks up to her father with a big smile and mouth full: )

This is sooooo good!!

Edited 2023-10-30 04:54 (UTC)

[He watched bemused as she dug into the food, and that was so perfectly normal that he was satisfied. After her run in with the Council, he had been concerned that Shimmer's effects wouldn't work on her any longer and they would have to run through all of the withdrawal effects. She had all the manners of a well raised Zaunite.

He picked up his fork and cut into the potatoes, nodding in agreement as he took a bite and chewed.]

Well made, yes.

( after taking a few more bites, jinx wipes her mouth with her forearm then leans a little more into her chair -- clearing her throat. it's either now or never, right? )

Yeah, ahem. So! — Silco. Uhm. Ya know... us doing this. Cooking... being together and stuff? We'll always have this, right?

( she flashes him a smile despite it having some anxious flare to it. ) No matter who comes in and outta our lives, we will have this.

It'll never change and we're still gonna do all the things we are settin' out to do here. 'Cause we're family and... — and you're important to me. And you know, I'll never ever leave you or betray you.

( jinx peers down at her meal, tapping her fork lightly against the plate. )

I-I know that's what your fear is. But that'll never come true. That I can promise definitely...

Edited 2023-10-30 05:28 (UTC)

[As soon as Jinx launched in her declaration with an interesting and well-intended introduction, Silco set down his utensils and leaned back in his chair. He watched her steadily, following the words and narrowing down his list even further: the sister or a boy. That's what it came down by the time she hit the mid-point.

Ekko wasn't back in town from what he could tell, so this had to be someone new if it was a boy. Given what he knew about her, she had likely flung herself bodily into any relationship.

The sister always remained a threat, but until the enforcer and the other roommate stepped away, it wasn't as if Jinx would be moving into there. He had no doubt they were trying to find common ground in their relationship, but he didn't have a spy network to determine how that was going so he based that assessment on Jinx's moods.

He finally leaned forward in his seat so that he could rest his elbows on the table and steeple his finger tips together. Yet, unlike some long-winded underlings dolling up a conversation to put themselves in a better light where he would cut through the situational thesis, he let her have the room.]

Loyalty is important to me, yes.

( it's hard to read his mood or what's going through his mind. but thingd seem to be swimmingly and his expression appear seemly calm? although, silco is very good at wearing masks than she could ever pull off. but jinx has faith he wouldn't wear one around her -- especially right now. )

Right, YES! Me too! Super important. So, we're good. We have really nothing —

Edited 2023-10-30 14:26 (UTC)

( — her charm rings just a little away from them. and the sound interrupts her thinking as it appears to be a text message, it reads aloud: )

"hey you gonna tell your dad about your hot boyfriend lololo qq"

( well. that's one way to get to the point. she can't fault quentin for texting that to her, and she is going to either. but what rotten timing for that to be blared out. she is crawling in her own skin and wincing over it before granting her father a wary smile. )

Eh, heh, heh. Uh, guess I don't have to say the rest?

[He made a noise in his throat at the sudden input from her charm, and all of his suspicions seemed to come true. His fingers steepled further as his mismatched eyes flicked from her to the charm nearby then slowly returned to her. A boy, indeed.

He eased himself back from the table to lean into his chair. His expression was a practiced neutral as he considered the words; it seemed as if this one was going to make assumptions that he was going to have to dissuade in the very near future.]

No. I would be far more interested in knowing more about the boy.

( shoving the potatoes in her mouth quickly and vigorously cutting a piece of her fish, her gaze stays down to her plate. maybe if she just focuses on her meal more, this will be a little easier. but it doesn't make silco's stare on her burn any less than it is. )

Sure. Uh, what you wanna know?

( she asks, mouth so full that he may need to strain his hears just to hear her fully. )

[He shifted his weight on his chair so that he could reach into his vest to pull out his silver case holding his limited amount of cigars. He pulled a half-smoked one out, tapping the end on the table before he brought it to his lips and lit it with his lighter.

He took a long drag from his cigar and blew the smoke from his nostrils.]

Let's start with a name, an age and what skills he has, shall we?

( and this is where her anxiousness start to settle in. because the last time she spoke about quentin to her father was two months ago or so and she rambled on about how he has telepathic abilities. and she was stupid enough to mention then he went inside her head because at the time, she thought he was bluffing about his skills. from what she can recall from that conversation, silco didn't... favor that so much. maybe jinx should start with the simple thing first. )

Right! Riiiiight.... — ( oh boy. his daughter reaches over for her glass of juice, attempting to behave casual. )

His name is Quentin. ( there's a last name but should she say it? would that be safe? does it matter? ) Uh, he's nineteen. Just a year older than me.

( then she takes a few gulps.... purposely not mentioning his skills yet. )

[Silco raised his eyebrow at the name, and he immediately was drawn back to the boy that she had talked about a few months ago. The telepath, was it? He recalled a conversation about a boy named Quentin, but there hadn't been many more details than that, and he had immediately felt alarms that such a potential could do to his daughter's often volatile mind.

Yet, he reserved his judgment for the moment as he didn't have enough information to make an informed decision. So far, he did not approved based on that audible text alone.]

Does he have skills?

( it's times like these that sometimes she wishes she could bend the truth or wasn't an honest woman. but she is and lying her father is definitely not in the cards no matter how uncomfortable a subject is. )

Yeah, yeah! He's smart... really smart. He's into engineering and I've shown him some of my things. ( a pause to teeth over her lower lip and playing with her food a bit. ) — Actually if it wasn't for his insight on stuff, I wouldn't had gotten my monkey to stop shaking so much.

( jinx clears her throat as she lifts up her glass again. this time, she mutters and says the next thing very quickly into her cup. )

And he's also telepathic but that's not important. In fact it's super not important 'cause who cares about that anyway, right? So yeah he's Chuck number two. The guy I was talking about. Earlier.

Edited 2023-10-31 04:33 (UTC)

[He nodded his head to the idea of engineer, finding that kind of ingenuity to be point in the right direction. He could appreciate someone that would take the time with his daughter, even if in his mind that she would figure it out. She was a prodigy, and she had figured out Hextech all on her own.]

Has he shown you some of his inventions and endeavors as well?

[The last thing that he wanted was for her to get hurt again; Ekko wasn't that long ago after all. That this boy was a rebound as far as he was concerned didn't bother him.

He took a long drag from his cigar the skill that he had dreaded hearing. Telepathy. His eyes narrowed for a moment, and he reached out to tap some ash into an ashtray nearby. Smoke trailed from his nostrils and mouth as he spoke.]

I consider that a rather important skill for him to have. Does he ask your permission before listening to your thoughts?

Ah... no. He hasn't shown me any of his stuff yet. ( she admits after drowning most of her drink. ) But I'm sure he will eventually! Materials are still a lil' tough to get around here and all that.

( jinx pokes at her potatoes with her fork, knowing she should really eat or she'll regret it so much later. but this conversation is really twisting into something way more serious than she expected. )

I mean, we kinda got an understanding going. I don't really... mind it so much. I kinda like it. ( his daughter finds herself smiling a little warmly once she confesses, reminiscing their silly telepathic converations. ) — It's better than hearing all the other mambo- jambo going on in my head. It's good that he knows what I'm... thinking when I can't put crap into words.

So, if he hasn't shown you such things, this sounds like a very fresh and new relationship. [And if it was very new, he had to respect Jinx telling him without much delay, and he could see why she thought that he had to sit down to cope with the knowledge that his daughter was growing up and developing.

That was not a life lesson either he nor Vander had actually had to cope with directly. They had both had their lives ended before it could happen. He felt Vander would take it far more gracefully than he ever would; his trusted support network was so limited that the idea of losing it was deeply uncomfortable.

And he'd destroy the boy if Jinx was hurt. That was an unspoken promise.]

An understanding, you say? [A man of red flags sensing so many red flags already in this situation.] So he silences the voices in your head, does he?

( feeling just a tad bit better, jinx spears a piece of fish to shove in her mouth, chewing not so brutish this time. )

He can but... I don't let him do it all the time. Just when they get super loud and I can't handle 'em on my own anymore. 'Cause he's more than just some guy who can do mind heebie-jeebie things to me. S-So....

( should she had said that? it's hard to tell, but maybe it was needed just in case there were any doubts of her being with him simply because he has such an outstanding ability. )

[He watched her eat, nodding his head slightly. He took another drag from his cigar, listening carefully to her choice of words but also her body language from across the table.]

You have never been one to dedicate yourself to someone with only one talent, no. I hope you will be careful.

[And he would also be careful on her behalf, and even if things went the same way as the last boy, he would always be that safe space for her to return to.]

I don't need to be careful.

( those words slip out way quicker than she wanted it to. and jinx winces on the inside over it too. but she picks up the sentence again to elaborate further before this heads down south. )

I trust him, so there's nothing to worry about or be careful about.

( with a light shrug of her shoulder, the smile beams back on her face -- only this time showing rather fondness when she goes on a little more about quentin. )

Yeah, he can be a dummy and a lil' full of himself. But... who doesn't like confidence?

Hmmm.

[Silco had been burned too many times in the past to trust anyone in a short period of time. He knew that Jinx was a freer soul in a sense, but she had been through a lot like most of those who had grown up in Zaun. She was damaged like the rest of them, but her recklessness had nearly gotten her killed in the past.

That was something he regretted. He had pushed her back then; now it was his turn to be the caution she wouldn't be normally.]

Be careful anyway. For me.

[He leaned back in his chair, setting his cigar into the groove of the astray.]

I will destroy him if he hurts you, Jinx.

( the urge to roll her eyes is very strong, but she refrains. it's such a dad thing to do to tell their child to still be careful when there's nothing happening. but all the while, it is a bit endearing that silco cares so much for her. it's something she'll never get tired of despite it being annoying sometimes. )

Okay, fiiiiiine. I'll be careful. For you.

( wow, why was she so nervous telling him about quentin in the first place? this conversation seems to be going better than she expected. ... until he tosses out his usual threat. )

C'mon, Silco. You don't have to do that. ( she reassures him. ) — He's been pretty nice to me and he's a lotta fun. If he hurts me, it won't be serious. Ya know, like, stepping on my hair on accident or drinking outta my glass when he thought it was his. That kinda thing.

( hunching over to shove more food into her mouth, she wings her legs underneath the table rather merrily. )

I still gotta tell Vi about him too. But I so want the both of you to meet him sometime.

Edited 2023-11-01 11:31 (UTC)

[He knew that she wouldn't be careful. She was a teenager - and a smart one at that - and she had found something new and shiny to latch onto. When he was eighteen, he wouldn't have listened to a concerned parental adult in his life either, not when there was something that he wanted and he was all swollen with his own self-importance and sense of immortality.

There was a life lesson in there that could come with a full-on speech, but he'd save that for now. He'd wait until he'd met the boy and made his own shrewd assessment.]

No, I don't have to, but I want to. [He snorted, bemused by her blindness at how the young male mind worked.] You've been dating him how long? I don't think you have a proper assessment of how nice or not nice he is. Believe me, boys need a foot on the back on their neck. [And he fully planned on being that foot.

He grunted at the mention of Vi. He expected a supportive sister jumping all in as well, then Vi would be the first to throw a punch when something went wrong. That was her only tactic, and she wasn't even particularly good at it.]

( her expression sours just a touch and she flashes her father a quick look before turning it back to her meal. she isn't going to shout at him or give him a full attitude, but her tone is rather strong and a little on the defense side. )

Four days and I think I know how to watch out for people.

( jinx should leave it at that, but the need to backtalk is dancing on her tongue and it's almost impossible to swallow down. )

You didn't send me out to do stakeouts on the Topsiders for nothing.

Edited (sorry i had to fix my math and timeline) 2023-11-01 14:56 (UTC)

[He watched her, picking up on the change on her expression and the skate of her eyes to him. He had seen her in all manner of teenage righteousness on occasion, and they had had more than a few verbal throw downs as all families did.

Yet, he offered her a little smirk at the corner of his mouth.]

Four days? So very new and shiny. And I have no doubt you can watch out for people; I've sent you on enough recon missions.

[He didn't mind the back talk. Certain people could get away with it under certain conditions.]

Exactly. I taught you to be better prepared to handle rogue elements.

Right! Sooo...?

( and she trails off, trying to get him to finish what exactly is his point here. she's been on a lot of missions, she knows how to watch out for people, and she knows what to look out for. so jinx doesn't necessarily understand why this conversation is heading in this direction. it should had been done by now. )

So I suspect you let this one in too close too quickly.

[Being on a mission was different from life, and her usual struggles to make friends didn't seem nearly as apparent here. That was good because he wanted her to be happy, especially how things ended on their world before coming to this place. He only wanted her cautious.]

But he's not hurting me. ... Actually, he's been doing the opposite.

( she straightens herself as she declares this, behaving all high and mighty as she shoves her last potato in her mouth. )

I'm telling you, Silco. Everything is fine. — Okay, yeaaah, we sped through few steps but that's not necessarily a bad thing. We're not getting any younger and we're really getting along great.

( "so there" is at the tip of her tongue but that would sound way too childish. instead, she reaches over for the bottle of wine that's on the table and pours just a small fill in her empty cup. )

Edited 2023-11-02 04:14 (UTC)

Four days.

[That's all he felt the need to say. He had the benefit of life experience, and his years of dedication to being patient so four days was a drop in the bucket. He was quick to take people into his cause, but that didn't mean he let them in to know who he was.

Not even in his youth did he jump head first into things so quickly. Trusting too quickly could be a knife in the back.]

Very well. You'll use your judgment. Take this where you want, but be careful with him. I don't want to be a grandfather.

[And when it went terribly, he would be in her corner as he always was.]

( it looks like she finally won this battle (for now or did she??) and feeling very victorious, she resumes back to cutting up her fish into pieces. there's still so many left of it on her plate. )

Oh! — You don't ever gotta worry about that. He's got these things called "condoms" and it'll stop that from happening. It's a pretty neat gizmo.

( and with that, she'll stuff her face as if what she just said was something so casual like the weather. )

[She hadn't won; he was simply shifting to pick the new battle. If anything, he would lay in wait to size up this boy and then potentially return to this conversation with her. For now, he'd let her think this was her victory.]

Good to know four days in you are so familiar with each other. Be certain he uses his gizmos effectively.

[He was picking his cigar up again and taking a drag of it. She was definitely all in on the boy; Silco would have to destroy him sooner than later.]

( ... alright. now he's making her feel a little like she is one of madam babette's workers at the brothel. with her cheeks flustering just a bit, she reaches over for that glass of wine she poured herself and quickly sips. maybe it's better to...not comment further on that particular part. because even if she wanted to or did, it wouldn't make it look any more pretty. so her father definitely has her there. )

...

Edited 2023-11-02 05:13 (UTC)

[He watched her from across the table, even going so far as he shift in his seat so he could cross one leg over the other to look perfectly comfortable with the conversation. After all, as far as he was concerned, this was another life lesson of passing down old knowledge to his daughter. He had been doing it so long that he didn't care if it was unwanted.

Her silence also meant to him that he had triumphed in that part of the debate.]

Anything else you would like to tell me about your boy?

( she finds herself in a corner when he asks this. telling him more information about quentin might appear too gushy (which she is right now, honeymoon phase and all that), but letting silco have the floor to ask more questions will also confirm she knows..... kinda little about quentin -- thus prove further how careless she's being to date a guy without any real details. so the safest thing to do here is to say, "nu-uh" as a hum as she continues to drown herself with glass of wine. ... she might need a second one.

and once that's empty, she shoves just a little more fish her in her mouth to keep herself from saying anything else. why does it feel like she's in the danger zone right now? it's the way he's eyeing her and sitting there, isn't it? jinx rarely views silco as intimidating, but right now? boy, she wishes she could crawl out of her skin and slink away upstairs. )

[He had always done what he could to take Jinx's side without blindly following her actions. He would defend her and smooth wrinkles out where he could, and then he would want Jinx's side of the story because there were two sides to every story. Often in his group, her reactions allowed them to paint her with a harsher brush, and he had little if no time for that.

Her silence was not something unusual when she was uncomfortable, and he simply decided to wait her out. He might be completely disapproving of her new little fling, but he did give credit that she was an adult having to make adult decisions about where her life was going. A part of him he wasn't willing to show was frightened of losing her - his only daughter - but another recognized this was going to happen eventually.

When he was a boy, most parents didn't live long enough to see their children fully grown. The mines were not kind. He wanted a better life for her; he wanted a Zaun where she could thrive and be one of the great inventors there.

He smoked his cigar casually, letting the silence grow as she ate and avoided adding more. His own interest in a meal had waned as soon as the conversation started.]

Then tell me when you're ready. [Or she knew more.]

( tell him when she's ready? .... ready... for what? she isn't sure what he means by that. and jinx highly doubts he wants to know that she is indeed a woman now since her virginity is no longer with her. and she also doubts he wants further details on their "additional spice" to their relationship of quentin officially being her pet.

but is that secondary thing really a surprise though? she refers a lot of nobodies who she feels are beneath her as ants, small fries, or harmless preys she can't be bothered with. so maybe it was only a matter of time until that came into play. after all, ekko use to be her main "play thing" and he still is despite his absence. that's just a permanent title the firelight will always carry until his wings give out or she pecks him so hard with her beak that he finally calls it quits. so jinx will take the safe route here and say simply: )

Uh... sure. I'll let you know.

[He meant that she could tell him as much or as little of the nitty gritty details as she wanted to. He'd probably heard it all anyway, given the where he lived and the types of enterprises that he had his fingers in or his associates did. The Undercity was a mecha of everything that was free and illicit, so anything went as long as one had the strength to back it up when challenged.

He nodded his head, willing to leave the topic at that. She had already given him plenty to think about with this new addition to the dynamic. A telepath was a dangerous entity as far as he was concerned, and he had concerns about that which he would ponder on his own.]

Good. I assume you'll be spending more time away from the house now that you have him sniffing around?

( something about that feels rather insulting somehow. she frowns over to him as she scoots her plate away for now (she'll gets seconds in a minute) then reaching for the bottle of wine again. )

I'm not crazy attached to him, ya know. He has friends, I have friends. I won't combust if we stay a day or two or three apart from each other.

( she isn't sure if silco was hinting his concerns of her being tied to quentin's hip or not, but jinx wants to make it perfectly clear to him that's not going to be the case. she may be highly infatuated, obsessed, and possibly possessive over quentin but she isn't going to tie him down with a ball and chain. he's free to roam around and hang around with whoever he wants (as long as he keeps his hands to himself when it comes to other girls... or guys if he's into guys too). pouring one more round of wine, she sets the bottle back to the table then scoots it over to him. )

Besides I got a lotta work to do and we gotta a city to run.

( again to make it perfectly clear that just because her relationship with her sister is steadily improving, she has a few friends, and now a boyfriend doesn't mean she had forgotten or became distracted to their main goal here. )

Edited 2023-11-04 22:18 (UTC)

[He was unperturbed by her defensiveness. Despite what life lessons he might be providing, he knew what it was like to be giddy with the want to be close to someone. It invaded thoughts, bubbled up emotions, tugged at one's attention. It was uplifting, and it wasn't unusual to chase such sensations.]

And yet, you'll want to spend time with him all the same. It's an expected response; most of us have been there, Jinx. After all, four days is fresh enough to want to assure yourself of solidification of it.

[He puffed on his cigar casually, stockpiling the unease that he felt for the time being. That was his to process on his own, not here during a meal even if it might seem that one or both of them were done with it. He already knew that tonight wouldn't be pleasant, that he would stare out the window and ponder all the threads and complications of this relationship and then... be drawn back into the old ache of the past.

He flicked his eyes to the wine bottle, reaching out to tap ashes into the tray.]

We haven't the resources to run the city. We must move cautiously and slowly. If we grab too many available resources too quickly, there will be those that will be push to act. I don't yet have the same power base as I did back in Zaun. It's all niceties for now.

[Being the friendly helping hand as he slowly extended his reach and make connections. He had time. The sister and the enforcer would complicate things as he couldn't slip behind his old titles.]

( she wanted this conversation to drift off to something else and while it did go that route, jinx is unable to control her temper and is refusing to let him have the last word about the whole quentin topic. getting fed up, the teen slams both of her fists on the table before sharply standing up to her feet -- her chair falling back with a loud thud to the floor. )

Just what is your problem with me and having someone, Silco?! — Okay, I get it with Ekko, alright?! And I was understanding where you were coming from about him.

( something is telling her in her bones that she is going to very much regret or feel horribly guilty for shouting at her father like this. especially what she had done to him back home. but... she has to put her foot down sometimes right? )

But Quentin is a great guy and he's been nothing but nice to me. So of course I want to spend time with him, and there's nothing wrong with that, by the way...!! But I'm not so loony over him that I need to be with him every second of the day. And cut the junk with the four days already!

( starting to feel a little overwhelmed, she places her hand over her chest in attempt to calm herself down. )

I meant what I said that I won't ever betray you or—or leave you no matter who comes in my life. Nothing is going to change and no one is going to stop me from building the kingdom we are guiding towards. You're so freakin' important to me and I love you. Do I need to build rockets to blow up in the sky and have 'em spell it out for you? 'Cause I'll do that.

[Silco stared at her from across the table, raising the only eyebrow that he had at her sudden temper. He made a noise in his nose like a sigh, and he sat enduring her demanding questions. So much for being a supportive father then. Now was this on the basis of her fear or something else?]

I have no problem. I don't see how giving you my blessing to spend time with the boy would cause such offense, Jinx. Would you prefer that a different reaction from me?

[Ah, so it was less about his blessing and more about the reference of their relationship being four days old. It was a rather short amount of time as far as he was concerned, but then again, trust came slow for him. He had no interest in getting that close to someone that quickly. Let Jinx have her fun; it was interesting to see her so free with people and making friends here.]

Rockets seem to be extreme at this point in time, and I have your assurances of your loyalty. That's enough.

[Let him remain calm and take another draw on his cigar to hide the unease that he had about Jinx making amends with the sister and now the boyfriend and then add in the friends. He needed to expand his reach in this place quicker to have something to focus on.]

( could there be a disconnect here? it's highly possible given jinx almost always jumps into conclusions, reading between the lines from all the wrong angles, and completely missing the mark of interpreting things. it happened with vi so many times and with him, and this certainly won't be the last time either. jinx begins to deflate as the gears in her head now spin on the opposite direction. was she blowing his attitude out of proportion? ... was her mind including things that aren't there again?

with her shoulders slumping as he speaks, his daughter leans down to set the chair back in place before taking her seat again. she frowns but not in a temper tantrum sort of way. )

It's just... you don't seem happy to me. There's no smile or... I dunno, bouncier tone? I feel you're upset somehow and I don't want you to feel that way. I wanna make you happy and... —

( she exhales out a sigh, admitting defeat. )

Forget it. Nevermind. I'm probably being zig-zaggy again.

Edited 2023-11-06 06:22 (UTC)

[Silco made his usual 'hmm' as she spoke, shaking his head little. After all, there was a difference between giving his blessing for her to see this boy and being happy about it happening. However, he was keenly aware that putting his foot down against this little... tryst would drive her away faster than if he let it happen and then, if he didn't like the boy (which he didn't), he'd push them and turn over all the rot in such a relationship to prove his point. He was, if nothing else, a long-term strategist.

In the end, there were very few people that he could bring to mind that were good enough for his daughter. He didn't want her alone, but he didn't want her used and underappreciated for her gifts and personality.]

I give you my blessing, Jinx, but doing so doesn't have to make me happy. I have concerns, but until this relationship develops more and I see how he treats you personality can I make an decision if it makes me happy on your behalf.

[It won't. Silco was a man that rarely experienced happiness. Perhaps those times he brought the Chem-Barons in line or the times he swept through the Undercity to take control.]

( despite her plate is a little away from her (and growing hungry again, of course), she reaches over for the fork to play around with the leftover fish pieces again. well, it's good that she has his blessing but to hear that he isn't happy (yet) saddens her heart a bit. )

... Is there something I can do to make you happy?

( not necessarily about the whole relationship thing, but in general is what she is trying to go far. so many wild and twisty turns this conversation between them has been so far. )

[He was used to her being in motion in some way; there was hardly times that Jinx could achieve complete stillness. There was always something going on, and some of his concerns were related to when her sentencing had created a scenario where small doses of Shimmer weren't effective at weaning the withdrawal effects.]

You drive me crazy, child, but I have never not been happy with you.

[In a sense of the word anyway. Silco wasn't even certain what happiness was these days aside from a good victory over a rival or getting his way. Fleeting moments, but Jinx being Jinx was never something that displeased him... even when she was blowing up buildings and killing enforcers to prove herself.]

( although this conversation had been one big roller coaster (which is expected dealing with jinx overall), she's happy that it's finally coming to a nice restful stop. the smile she puts on is warm with relief sprinkle in between, and tension seems to be lifted off her shoulders as she readjusts herself at the table. )

You drive me crazy too. Takin' care of you can be a one big job!

( she teases before finally scooting the plate back over to herself. one mustn't waste food and all that!! so jinx scarfs down her meal quickly then raises up to her feet. )

I'm gettin' seconds. And you should start eating or no smoking for two days.

( and why is she acting like the parent suddenly? the answer is simply because she can. )

Edited 2023-11-09 05:18 (UTC)

[His tactic of remaining calm during the ups and downs of any conversation with Jinx normally worked, unless it was him having to take his daughter to task then their personalities switched more often than not. He knew how to defuse him, and she knew how to defuse him. It was an interesting dynamic, but in the end, they both seemed to get what they needed out of it.]

It's a full time job, I've been told. You handle it splendidly.

[Silco sarcasm, though he did appreciate the efforts that she went to in order to prove herself to him. And it helped that he was nudging her along to put her in position to take over his seat of power eventually. Time and experience and tutoring would get her there.]]

Are you actually giving me an ultimatum? [He took a drag from his cigar purposefully, not out of defiance but to remind her that he very much enjoyed smoking. His lungs had survived the mines.]

Ha, ha, maybe!!

( with plate in hand, she moves around the table but stops at his side to plant a quick kiss on the temple. the one of the many things she regret doing was showing more affection towards him all those years. )

When I turn around, I better see you eating.

( jinx giggles and she makes her way to the stove to grab seconds like she mentioned. one more plate ought to be enough for her body to hold over until breakfast. a third one would be perfect, but that would mean going out for a night jog and she isn't in the mood to get all dressed for it. )

[He made a point of at least knocking ash off of his cigar and setting it into the groove so he could pick up his fork when Jinx walked by on her way to the kitchen again. He turned his head when she kissed his temple, noting her outright physical affection was growing.

It had to be guilt.]

There's no need for unstated threats between us.

[The 'or else' was implied in her statement, playful or otherwise. He did force himself to take a bite in order to satisfy her. Personally, he still found wasting food to ultimate crime.]

( she turns her gaze to silco, looking at the back of his head in light bewilderment -- almost child-like. it's too bad he can't see it, but it's probably for the better. that "powder" enjoys to slither in every so often lately without her realizing. the girl died at least twice but rekindling her relationship with her sister, friends, and now a boyfriend on top of it is making her raise from the well. )

But threats are fun to make. It's how I get what I want.

( and who taught her that, we all wonder? in the future, her doing this will bite her in the ass and will make her friendship with scott very shaky and awkward. )

Edited 2023-11-12 17:08 (UTC)

[Silco made an soft amused sound at her statement, and it was all too true. He had taught her that, hadn't he? He was pleased even if he was the first to admit that nuance was necessary when employing threats. It also wasn't a way to make or keep friends, which for him was a perfectly acceptable way to live out his life. It would not when he was her age and still finding his way in the world, slipping from a larger man's shadow now and again.]

Indeed, but you need more experience learning how to employ them. Certain people require delicate subtlety and others require outright brute force. The key is giving them every opportunity to give you what you want before employing the threat to maximum effect.

[He finally turned his head to view her in the kitchen.]

You will make mistakes. We all do as we learn to navigate through our interpersonal associates. I will help you wherever I can.

( naturally she stumbles upon one of his lessons again. but unlike her old self, she doesn't mean attending them even if they get a little boring. and as she listens, her half of her attention trickles back to her plate as she stocks up for the second time then heading back to the table. )

So I gotta be extra friendly?

( this is what she is taking out of this and honestly, she had a few chosen who told her the way she would get what she wanted was to just simply ask or be a little nicer. jinx believed that's a whimpy route but... if silco thinks this isn't a coward way then... maybe she could give it a go? his daughter return back in front of him, plate and silverware placed where it was before with her elbows on the table -- ready to chow down again. )

[He was still waiting for the usual eyerolling and dramatic sighing that he often earned from her when he dived into important life experience. He had been noting that she was doing less of it since he had arrived here, or at least it was more subdued from her common dramatics.]

Extra? Hardly. If you're too obvious about your friendliness with it being out of character, they will know you are up to something. You must remain in your pre-established levels of friendly, veil the threat in that.

[When she had more independence, and he set her loose into Zaun to be part of missions, she had seen less of his own behaviour necessary to keep those in on your payroll or competition.]

We do whatever we must to achieve what we want. Start small, give them motivation and benefits to work with you, then apply pressure and increase the aggression as necessary. Some people will sometimes only respond to stick over treat. [He looked over at her.] And lean into your reputation where you can.

( while it may seem like she isn't listening with her eyes glue to the plate before her and her loud munching along with it, jinx is being extremely attentive. so she needs to behave like her ordinary self and then steadily like to the top like one would with a step ladder. start small, he says. maybe her vending machine could be useful than just burrowing up loose change. but how can a contraption like that be flipped to something else? maybe instead of her checking in multiple times a day to see if her robotic monkey is full, get someone else to do it. and then maybe from there, have everything escalate to something more serious?

her face scrunches for a moment before taking another bite, the gears in her mind turning as she brainstorms over his wise words. which again... jinx usually ignores. never again she'll take it for granted, and although it's still too long for her liking -- she wouldn't exchange hearing his voice for anything. )

Is that how you've got people for your businesses now?

[Jinx was a sociable person, although some might find her mood changes to be jarring. He had grown used to them over the years, so he considered to be one of the best people to handle them. History had not dissuaded him from that notion so far. He had much to teach her and to help her adapt how she was naturally to being able to be an excellent leader and to draw people in to follow her. That took practice.

He shrugged his shoulders.]

I offered them an opportunity, nothing more. I presented it in a way that it was choice and if they gave me some of their time, I would compensate them. It helps that very few know my reputation back home.

Hmmmmmmmm....

( she plops her head down on the table, more so her chin, to be exact. and even with her head low like this, jinx still spears her potatoes then shoving it in her mouth. a very weird way to eat but she is a strange one. )

— I think I've already spilled the milk about my rep here. People got it figured out.

[He made an effort to at least push the food around on his plate, considering her. She was still right side up, so he didn't blink an eye at her method of eating.]

That means you simply need to use the unpredictability of your antics as part of your reputation to keep people from guessing what your next move will be.

Liiiiiike booby trap the perimeter of our beloved home and listen to the screams of others as I drift off the sleep?

( that... would definitely be unpredictable and a little deranged. but will this be something jinx will actually do to their home? very possible. the girl does enjoy the misery of others. )

Edited 2023-11-24 23:38 (UTC)

No, that is actually quite predictable given your reliance on explosives. Now if you created a perimeter around your sister's house as a 'protective' measure, that might throw a few people. What else could you do with explosives, hmm?

[Resource guarding was very typical in Zaun, so her reaction wasn't unexpected. He wanted her to be creative about providing her services to others in order to garner their loyalty. She would need them when he was dead and gone (again).]

It's predictable to you but not everyone here! There's a lotta folks in this town who don't know a damn thing about me or what I can do.

( although...)

— Setting some traps to my sister's place is a good twist though. Maybe I can hang the enforcer so high up no one will even think to search for her up there. She'll rot as the sun melts her skin away.

Edited 2023-11-26 18:00 (UTC)

Jinx, you blew up a building in public because you were upset.

[He would just like to point out her public antics which would likely give most people an idea of what she was capable of and how she might react in certain situations.]

A better use of your time would be finding ways to use the enforcer to advance your own cause while guaranteeing her destruction at the same time.

THAT'S still a mystery to many, y'know.

( she gloats and giggles sugar-coatedly while scooping her final bite to her mouth. jinx figures enough is enough for now, and the rest could be her midnight snack for when she sinks her teeth deep into her projects later. )

Sounds like a lotta brain work, Pops. And it'll lose my improvise charm.

Is that so?

[He wasn't about to press the matter. They both knew it was her, and there were others out and about that would as well. It was enough as far as he was concerned.]

Then it's a good thing that you're so smart. I expect you can do both.

Mister Silco, right?! I'm Dazai. Do you happen to know who I am?! Ah, it doesn't matter if you don't! I know who you are. Care for a little business discussion? I've closed Lupin just for the occasion! Come, come, mister buuuuusiness man.

You're the one that set fire inside of the Council chamber to prove a crime and was released as having fulfilled your sentencing requirement, were you not?

I am always open for a business discussion. What would you be interested in discussing?

Oh, wow! Not exactly! It was outside. And the arson was one second too late, Jerry-party-pooper got in there just in time, what a bummer, would you so believe! I'll totally get them next time! Ah, how rumors fly fast!

Over sake, please, sir, it's such a bummer to discuss business without it!

Hmmm, Jerry does seem to meddle in many activities in town, which is unfortunate. That stifles progress, but he will be dealt with in time.

Before we meet, an outline of what would be on the agenda?

Ah, a man of efficiency. Our agenda is, for the two former mafiosos of Aldrip to meet each other and see how they can be of use for each other's agenda. I smell crime boss twenty miles away, my dear sir!

Former? [There was a soft sound of amusement.] My dealings are perfectly legal for the moment, but consider me intrigued enough to be willing to take a risk on you, boy.

I'm at the flower shop. I have whiskey.

So were mine, sir.

Ah, so you will not come to Lupin? Interesting. It is a place without an easy escape route, after all! Should I bring any snacks?

I have paperwork that requires attending, and it would be arduous to lug it elsewhere. Besides, do you enjoy the scent of flowers? There were plenty of escape routes here, not that I expect we will have an issue requiring one.

Do as you like food wise.

(with a sake in hand, already opened, and already sipped from, dazai arrives at the flower shop, smiles as per usual. eccentric as he is, drinking so openly could prove the lack of poisoning (or, well, the presence of it if one knows dazai very well) -- he did just admit out loud that they are not that different.

what a man, huh? characteristic. it's not a face he never saw before, it's just one he never conversed with. with his goofy grin, it's easy to set the drink on the table, as well as the portion of boiled crab snacks that he enjoys.)

Ew, mister Silco, nothing I hate more than what you doing-- should I sit further away?

[So young. That was his first thought when this boy walked into the flower shop where he was sitting on the front counter surrounded by greenery. There was stacks of papers next to his right elbow, pen in hand and a tumbler with a finger of whiskey in it within easy reach. His mismatched eyes lifted to examine the boy upon approach.

He sat back in his chair when Dazai joined him at the table, setting down his pen for the time being. He would entertain this little meeting with respect for the time being.]

It's a necessary evil to properly running any enterprise. You can move the plant off of the stool and sit across from me.

[All smiles this one. He knew people like that in Zaun. They often were some of the most dangerous people to deal with.]

What business endeavors have you be undertaken aside from pushing at the Council?

[As far as he was concerned pleasantries were over. It was time to discuss business already.]

It's a necessary task that I would rather die than doing-- ah, but honestly, dying doesn't sound bad at all!

(he's an odd one from the start. bandages cover his arms, his neck, underneath his clothes. too chipper, too goofy, eyes closed in his good mood and party covered by the curls of his brown hair. he does abide, as if he was allergic to the hard work, going as much as doing the cross sign with his indexes -- the power of slacking compells you, paperwork.)

I'm the owner of Lupin, as you most likely know. The bar in the basement. I also started a law firm with a bright brat, so this is where we can join forces, wouldn't you agree that it'd be truly interesting?

Doesn't it?

[Silco raised the single eyebrow that he still possessed at the insinuation that this was someone who either had a death wish or was one step over the line to wanting to end it all personally. Those types didn't survive long in Zaun; the struggle to survive was strong in his people though most would, at some point fail.]

I have yet to drink at that establishment. [There was an interesting dichotomy between the words and the appearance.] So you run two businesses at present and are looking to add a third. Have we even established the laws of this place, or are you planning on writing them and enforcing them legally in the near future?

Oh, no, thanks, that's not it! So much work, sir, no, thank you! I simply want to use you, you see? You do have plenty, don't you? Eyes everywhere? I could benefit from that, and I'm sure you could benefit from me.

(straightforward is best in this situation. they can sniff, dig, growl, all later. he doesn't believe silco to be a man of too many roundabouts, after all.)

[This was the second person that came at him with such candor, and while it was refreshing, he had to question if he had devolved into such a level as to have no threat presence any longer. Death would do that perhaps? No, he was older now, and physicality had never been his strong suit.]

You wish to use me for your own benefit, is it? And what of equal value do you bring in return, boy?

I should have presented myself better, shouldn't've I? I used to be called the 'Demon Prodigy'. I'm responsible for half the profits of the biggest Mafia from my world for two years straight from the age of fourteen, you see? My brain works as a super computer, and I've won wars against beings and people you could never even fathom. I myself don't care about these things, but it does feel like-- my bare presence and assistance in growing your little business empire could be of great value. I will say, however, that life is no longer attractive to me, but I still have my experience and intelligence to lend. Except... If you're not interested, I can offer it to your competitors, wouldn't that be fun in itself! A little more work that you could definitely spare me from having, talking to so many people...!

[This was real. First Quentin the mega-smart, mega-powered telepath and now Dazai the mega-smart, mega-amazing boy who had no interest in living right on his doorstep. This place was actually now shaping up to be his own personal circle of Hell, wasn't it? It was beginning to feel that way, and he was now going to have to confront how to cope with this ridiculousness.

He reached out and picked up his tumbler of whiskey, giving himself time to mull over the wild claims by taking a slow sip and watching Dazai from across the counter.]

I don't believe we know each other well enough to understand what I can and cannot fathom, boy. It seems to me that you're supposedly so brilliant that life has lost all challenge and meaning, so you couldn't care if it ended. Am I inferring too much about you, boy?

[He set his tumbler back down on the counter.]

And who are my competitors, hmm? Once the owners of these businesses return, I will be handing them off.

[And he would. He'd just be owed debts for his services.]

Oh, no, it has to have had any from the beginning! I'm on the other side of things now, you see? Perhaps I'll see something there! Who knows? Not me, neither you!

(still. he's conversed to many, many people, and the things that he has been told are unfathomable to him -- likewise, his own would be. it's simply the result of coming from different worlds, different experiences. all meshed together in this prison of a place, it's easy math. but hey-- quentin couldn't use his telepathy on dazai even if he tried.)

Ah, that simple? How wonderful of you, thought you enjoyed paperwork. Right now, you have no real competitors, but you do have someone who would sniff anything they arbitrarily thought would be a crime, and you could easily lose all this, couldn't you? You see, my crime is 'womanizing', if you can believe! Since when is that a crime? Lord only knows what they might be accusing the other poor Chosen.

And now that you're here, you're going to make the most of the opportunities. I suppose we all will until the Council or whatever authority brought us all here has shown their hand.

[There were many things in Runeterra that seemed beyond belief, and yet it was all very normal. He expected that was the same with all the other worlds that people had been dragged from. Different worlds and different timelines didn't seem so farfetched here. Still, prison was prison, and resources were finite he expected.]

It's a necessary evil, so if I have to suffer at it, I may as well enjoy it. [He shrugged his shoulders at the investigation into crime.] Hardly. There is very little here to lose so far; Aldrip is proving to be unfriendly to those that washed up. Perhaps there will be better opportunity elsewhere. [And interesting crime based on the little he'd seen on the kid. To each their own.] Racketeering is my crime.

Naivety would be just not to expect them to knock at your door for one reason or another. What I am offering you is not something out of this world, is it? Be part of my eyes, and I'm on demand to your needs.

(racketeering, huh? could easily be dazai's own. much could have - murder, extensive torture, abuse, fraud, so on. and yet, they chose his never-ending desire to feel alive. sorta fucked, but yet, here we are.)

Which I have no intention of doing. I'll force them eventually, as I assume many intend to. So you prose being my enforcer should I need one?

[Silco had been rather offended that they had chosen that crime out of all that he had stacked up on his resume. He would lean into that crime all the same while also working on all the others that could be possible here.]

Define 'enforcer'. I've been many things -- a torturer, a strategist, a planner. If you want me on the front lines of anything, I would not be a perfect match.

(that was chuuya. dazai could manipulate that man into anything - and their hivemind also helped wonders. chuuya's the muscle, dazai's nothing more than the scheemer behind closed doors.)

At this time, I don't require someone skilled in torture techniques. So far, protests against my helpfulness has been minimum so far.

[They could potentially be good for each other, even if he was sensitive to the idea of betrayal. However, that was a constant threat in Zaun, so he was used to being naturally suspicious of people coming to want to work with or over him.]

My current project is the Council. We should work together for infiltration and dismantling of their little city hall.

( silco will be receiving a voice recording that appears to be coming under jinx's name as per usual. so it's natural to think it's just a recording of his daughter sending him a message (which is taking quite a bit to be downloaded to him. maybe a two minute wait?). but when he hits the play button or lets the recording play out on his charm, what he hears isn't jinx but a couple of people who are unrecognizable. )

Person a: Duplicity? That's it? There's no way that that girl hasn't done other things.
Person b: Yeah, I think that crime isn't harsh enough. Some of them aren't harsh enough at all! Who--[STATIC NOISES]
Person a: Maybe we can [MORE STATIC NOISES].
Person c: That'd be so much more interesting!!

( and the recording ends there. right after, he will get a text message from jinx. )

this got sent to me. looks like the council finally goofed up!

Who sent it to you and who have to shared it with?

i dont know. i was looking through it and it just showed up. not a lot of people.

So the sender of the recording is unknown? Your sister, no doubt. The brute and the boyfriend then?

bullseye. hey wait hooollldddd on a second. 1. whose the brute? 2. im not THAT predictable right??????

1. There aren't that many that fit the description, are there? 2. Yes, you are, but I know you very well.

Edited 2023-11-15 05:46 (UTC)

weh weh weh weh weh weh weh. i only told the people who are in the INX CLUB.

And how have they responded so far?

havent gotten a lot of replies yet! but kid ken thinks its and i quote "unnecessarily cruel" the council are slapping crimes on people just to make things interesting for them.

Edited 2023-11-15 05:53 (UTC)

As if there was any doubt. Their confirmation is nothing ground breaking. What we need is to find the best way to use their admittance against them.

well i AM working on an encore of the council tower back home. not ALL the way done with my missile but its going GREAT! thanks for asking.

Edited 2023-11-15 06:17 (UTC)

I would expect no less from you. We shall see how they react to a direct attack on their operation.

YEAH WE WILL! u said to wait a month. i waited a month. now its operation kablam kaslpat jerry!

Patience is a virtue. Don't get caught.

i wont. OH speaking of home, have u met the newbie yet?

Not yet. A vastaya, I believe.

wait. how did u know the newbie is a vastaya??

have u been spying on people again? (◕ω◕✿)

It's not difficult when I'm in town, and I hear things.

[Yes, he's been spying. No one is too old for lurking in the shadows.]

I assume you have spoken with her.

for a little bit yeah. shes grouchy and fun!

Expected given what the books say about their history. She could be a useful ally.

if u say so. fluffy couldnt even tell a difference between a zaunite and a piltie.

Edited 2023-11-19 16:32 (UTC)

Jinx, there are many countries, cities and civilizations beyond our own. Zaun remains in its infancy, still under the thumb of Piltover.

[He read a lot as a young man. He learned as much as he could of beyond the borders of his city, and that had come in handy for trade partners for his goods.]

yeah i know but do i LOOK like a snobby stinky topsider?! I DONT THINK SO!! i almost blew her head off for insulting me like that.

If she's never met one, how would she know the difference? So you made an impression.

she SHOULD know the difference!! i wasnt drinking tea when i met her. or had a dumb fancy accent like a favorless 🍰 we know.

( randomly throwing an emote there because why not. the little pictures are fun to use. )

yea i did. and she OWES me a shiny feather knife. i gave her info and somehow that wasnt enough for her. talk about someone who DOESNT know how to haggle. wherever she came from didnt teach her anything.

You've taught her the difference now, and that is all that matters. Be cautious who you give ammunition to for future insult. I'm looking forward to my opportunity to meet her. Or she learned different lessons, and she had no intention to haggle at all. You gave her some of what she wanted with no cost to her but time.

u'll like fluffy. she gets super cute when shes angry! i wonder where shes been hiding. maybe i should go find her when i take my break from my work. today im upgrading the boy saviors hoverboard. it needs a new look and something SPECIAL.

Edited 2023-11-19 17:31 (UTC)

Did she provide her actual name to you? Perhaps she is exploring her new world of oppression. So you're spray painting it?

yep! i dont know how to write it because its a weird name. but i remember it. spray painting it AND making a new compartment to jam the hexgem in. whatever the firelight was using is running out of juice.

Next time we meet up I should like to hear it. So you're going to install the gemstone into it. That should prolong its life. I assume that is the first of many tickerings for the stone.

bullseye! too bad i dont have more of these suckers huh? then i wouldnt need to swip swap all the time. BUT!!! when ure a scientist and an inventor, u LEARN to improvise! 🐵🐵🐵🦈🦈

The rarity of the gem will make its use far more impressive here.

they'll call me the GREAT JINX! ✨️✨️✨️

Is that what you would like to be called?

the all GREAT and POWERFUL JINX!!!!

That's more like it.

🐒! so hows uuuuuuuuuurrr day?

Productive. Planning, I suppose.

did u give urself a break?

I went for a walk.

[So no because spying and eavesdropping.]

saw anything fun??

Nothing abnormal. People in despair and struggling to find something to believe in.

love the smell of salty tears in the morning. ha ha! i made myself laugh. 🙊

Giving them what they need will make them amenable to give us what we need.

hmmmmm...nope, sorry. jinx disagrees!

( oh. that's... new, isn't it? )

Enlighten me.

because giving people what they need is a freaking joke. its a low scored booby trap of u THINKING ure doing them a favor or trying to lend them a hand OR an ear, and what do they do? they scream at u like URE the one who broke their heart or whatever. its not my fault they slept with a hussy and theyre so gullible that they couldnt pick up the OBVIOUS signs! and now theyre trying to make ME feel guilty because i threated them to never do that to me again. why SHOULD i feel guilty anyway? who in the heck enjoys being yelled at when they took the time out of their day to fucking listen?! so screw giving people what they need. its not worth it.

[Now this was a tangent. He was, of course, used to them by now, and he even sat back in his chair so he could reread the text and consider the information that she was providing.]

Did the boy say something stupid to you, Jinx?

what? no! no no this isnt about quen.

Then who?

its just. someone. it doesnt matter because we're probably not friends anymore. its dumb.

Edited 2023-11-20 04:55 (UTC)

Jinx

Who?

[Look, he's going to be involved in all your drama, even peripherally.]

i already told u. it doesnt matter anymore. its been dealt with.

besides i KNOW u. if i tell u who it is, u'll hunt him down and give him a lecture. and NOT the kind of lecture the profs give in the academies. hes a VERY sensitive little puppy. he doesnt need to be kicked.

His sensitivities are all the more reason to tell me. I can make a man out of him with a single lecture. Of course, that description narrows down the options. Shall I go knocking on doors?

dont u dare!!! 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡

Is this sunglasses boy? He seems to have plenty of soft spots.

( shit. )

why in the hell would i say yes or no to anything if youre just going to start throwing names around!?!?!

Because the alternative is door knocking.

leave. this. alone. silco. i MEAN it. its OVER WITH. if i find out u've been going around and digging, im not coming home anymore.

( writing that and sending it off to him was... really painful for her to write. because she doesn't want them to fight over something so stupid and they stop living or being together. but what other choice does she have at this point to get him to stand down just this once? )

Is that so?

[He'd trying to decide if she's bluffing or not. There is the boy now, so she has other options. Alienating his daughter, the only one he can trust, was not worth risking it one way or another.]

Very well. The door remains open if you wish to discuss it.

( there's an enormous weight that was lifted the moment she read those words. and she sighs the most biggest relief she could ever mustard out of herself. )

thank you.

( ... )

sometimes. i just want u to listen and not... actually DO something about it. u know? i want to feel i can tell u things without i dont know... stuff getting bigger than it is.

Edited 2023-11-20 05:48 (UTC)

I do listen. You simply have to choose to tell me.

[He wasn't always there to solve Jinx's problems. That wasn't his place; that wasn't how the people of Zaun operated. Children needed to stand on their own two feet quickly after all.

And yes, he was protective of her. Since the gemstone came into their lives, she had been hurt and nearly killed on several confrontations. He was allowed to be protective; she was his only daughter.]

If you wish space though, you know you can have it without question from me.

well right now i dont want space. right now i just want to be in the same room with u. i dont like it when we fight, i hate fighting with u.

( even though the "fight" wasn't necessarily that bad from an outer prospective. but given how she was upset at him, vi, and caitlyn at her dinner party, and then in the blink of an eye -- he was gone, the last jinx ever wants is to be angry at him. or their argument/disagreement be the last thing they say to each other. she doesn't want to be eaten up alive like that again, her heart won't be able to bear it for the second time. )

I don't consider this a fight. It was a disagreement of one another's desires.

[They had had disagreements in the past. That was fine. He currently wasn't considering the extent of her guilt over his death.]

i dont care. i still dont like it.

I understand. We'll keep better open communication then.

are u mad at me?

No, not at all. And even in those rare situations where you stoke my anger, you've a knack for defusing it.

its not that hard to, ha ha.

For you, perhaps.

im on my way home by the way. just finishing up some shopping. and also. did u had a talk with someone recently? at all?

I've had conversations with many people. You'll have to be more specific.

with quentin. did that happen? i saw he made a thing earlier this month. so.

Yes, he's quite the little showman making such a public spectacle.

yeah ha ha. he is a lil like me if u think about it! ticking to his own bomb. so... how did that go?

( can't be THAT bad if the two of them are still alive. )

There are a few similar traits. I can see why you enjoy his company; he must be exciting to deal with. Would you like my honest opinion or would you prefer it sugar coated?

[That question should be telling enough how that conversation had gone down.]

( her heart skips and shutters. with a question like that, it's obvious the opinion is definitely not a five star rating. and although jinx expected it, it can't be any worse than him disliking vi, right? if she can handle the two of them going at each other's throats, what's another one? swallowing down a lump in her throat, she writes: )

u know i prefer truth than anything.

[Well, they had always valued honesty with each other. They had made that promise a long time ago, even if things had to be obfuscated now and again with a follow up explanation.]

If anyone back home spoke to me as he did, there wouldn't be enough of a body to identify. For someone who claimed to be so smart, he acts like a reckless idiot.

yeaaaah he can be a bit of an idiot. but hes a loveable idiot. i know u and vi dont really see it but he treats me nice. thats what matters right?

You're right, I fail to see evidence to justify your affection for him thus far. However, who you find yourself affectionate to is your decision, not mine. If he crosses you, I'll find ways to destroy him utterly.

u dont have to worry about that! ill kill him before anyone else gets their hands on him. first dibs and all that.

I have no doubt of that. You should leave such actions to me, Jinx.

come on, silco. now ure just being a big silly. he hasnt done anything for either of us to hurt him. why u want to be knife happy with him anyway? the convo wasnt THAT bad was it?

I'm preparing for the inevitability. Like I said, back home, there wouldn't be enough of a body to identify. If I had the same resources here as I had in Zaun, you'd be looking for a new companion already.

maybe what we're missing here is an activity the two of u can bond over!! i dont like the ogre buuuuuuuuuuuuut we got something in common. we hate people and we enjoy busting their heads open.

Edited 2023-11-26 00:45 (UTC)

From what I've come to understand of him, we have little, if anything, in common. You have Sevika all wrong. She doesn't hate people; she hates those that don't do what they are instructed to do.

sounds like a challenge for jinx to conquer!!! 🙊🙊🙊 oh yeah? have u EVER seen her smile?

Please don't. Yes, many times. Usually when she's winning coin off of those stupid enough to gamble at the same table as hers.

the plan is already in motion. u cant stop it. hee hee i bet i could win against her if i really wanted to. but i dont like looking at her. it makes my hair less shiny.

You can't manufacture what isn't present. Perhaps. Should she ever end up in this place, you'll have your opportunity.

oh a double dare now, huh? u've always been the man who enjoys rising the stakes. now i got two things to accomplished. im not making her an arm.

I think you're wasting your time and energy, but do as you please. Even if I make the request?

dont.

She isn't here.

WHEN she gets here.

You assume she will arrive, which may be a situation that never comes to past.

[But at this point, he might even crack a smile for a familiar ally like Sevika.]

itll happen. theyre picking us one by one. we're like fish in an aquarium to them. swimming around and around then adding new fish to see if theyll eat the older ones.

There are plenty of people from Runeterra to choose from.

and a lot of them stink. oh i got a few messages about the audio thing by the way.

Of course.

give me 5mins and ill send over what i got!

vi's responses: → vi question: why was it sent to u? → my answer: because im cool. → vi question: do u think they got someone leaking info from the inside? → my answer: no way. we're criminals according to them. why will they give us info or let us know whats going on when we are suppose to be punished? → vi question: then how'd u get it? how do u know its legit? info doesnt get handed to u. either someone wants u to know this or theres a price. wahh wahh keeps ur eyes peeled in case u have to do a favor (yeah yeah whatever i get it, vi, u worry too much.)

ange response: → ange question: how did u get it? → my answer: i dont know. just came up on my stuff → ange question: do u think it has something to do with the sentencing? → my answer: uh duuuuuuuuhhh!!! what else would it be???????? she so silly sometimes. → ange question: last time was random. (honestly i dont know what she means by last time. she lost on me on that one!) i wonder what they thought instead was so interesting. → my answer: i dont know. why dont u ask the public broadcast about their crimes and see who had duplicity or whatever?

These are not unexpected responses. There is a good reason to be suspicious of the intent, but the information itself can be valuable if there was more context.

i dont think anything crazy will happen to me for knowing the SCOOP. i bet they dont have a stinking idea.

Considering we don't know as much as we should about this place and it's monitoring yet, it doesn't hurt to act with caution.

[Funny because Jinx was probably the least cautious person he knew.]

There is a benefit in that. The more we know, the better we can destroy them.

please dont tell me i have to be 100% careful. because theres no such thing as fun in being careful.

Cautious, not careful. We wouldn't deny you all the fun.

OKAY GREAT! only babies are careful. and im waaaaaaaaay too old to be a baby.

From my understanding, babies are neither cautious or careful. Just curious. But you are thankfully too old to be a baby.

think u can tell ragna that? he keeps calling me a kid. my birthday was LAST MONTH! im super not a baby or a kid now.

Baby and kid are also different. Kids have learned caution. How old is the brute?

beats me. maybe the same as vi?

Twenty-something then. So he's treating you like a sibling.

[He thinks. Silco doesn't actually have siblings and by the time he met with Vander, both of them were trying to play tough too much to baby one another.]

( there's a slight delay as her eyes glosses over his words a few times. when ragna stopped by their home with a cake on her birthday, she insisted he stay over and share the cake with her because he is family. he didn't seem too keen with the idea when she skimmed over that little detail, but if this is silco's prospective then maybe he does see them as family after all.

she wonders if that bothers her father any deep down. he wants them to be them and only them, however more and more people are entering her heart these days. would silco feel claustrophobic if this keeps up? would he feel left out or replaced? she hopes not. his daughter is doing her damnest to express he is still on top of her hierarchy of all her pets she adopted. sucking in her lips and complimenting, she finally writes: )

what if he sees me as a sibling?

( it's her way of asking: "how does that make you feel if someone else besides vi is a family to me?" )

You can't stop how people feel, Jinx.

[He wasn't an avoidance type, but death gave him a certain change to perspective. Perhaps she could find some happiness here; she was in a better place than Zaun already.]

yeah. sometimes that sucks.

( as much as she despises vi and caitlyn together and want to keep them separated, even a dummy can see they are becoming closer and closer each given day. not wanting this conversation to twist sour, she perks it up with this: )

well! if im going to have more brothers and stuff, at least we dont have to worry about me having more than one dad. cause that wont happen!

Edited 2023-12-03 18:37 (UTC)

Perhaps. You either accept it or you work to change their mind.

[Or if they were him, double down. Let them all despise him. Or fear him. He had no reason to change their minds because it suited his purpose. He had a goal, and he'd stop at nothing.

This was going to be Jinx's kingdom. His time was best spent building it up for her then pass it to her.]

You're used to having adoptive siblings from the past. This isn't a stretch.

[He expected she meant it as an assurance, but before this point, he hadn't put much thought in the possibility of a parental figure rival. Now he turned much of his attention to it.]

( well so far from his writing, he doesn't seem to be upset or fazed over the fact of newer family members. maybe she was thinking too much into things or assuming things again. )

it would be cool to have a big bro again!

Is that so? From your stories, one of your adoptive brothers deserved to have his tongue removed.

[Siblings was a safer topic.]

i dont really see him as a brother anymore. just some stupid annoying kid.

Did you ever?

when i was super little.

I assume the will to call him that faded quickly.

yeah. he was NEVER nice to me. Claggor was sweet sometimes but... didnt stick up for me either when he would talk crap.

Boys can be like that. He better have had his uses.

[Judging Vander's parental style? You betcha. Which, in hindsight, would be funny as he let Jinx run amok and be a terror.]

he was good at picking locks, i guess.

There were better in the Undercity of his age group.

[He should know... he owned most of them back then.]

HA! u just made him speechless.

The unfortunate truth hurts immature boys' egos.

u know. id like boys more if they werent about their dick sizes all the time and measuring whose bigger. but its funny to watch them argue and then something comes along and gobbles them all up.

It's tiring. Insecure men feel the need to resort to paltry competitions; they all die the same: alone while praying for some immortality of their namesake.

were u like that too?

In my youth, yes.

[That wasn't a time period he spoke of generally.]

But I learned quickly that I had little to measure without action to back me up.

if only boys could grow up faster like u did. buuuuuuuuuuuuuut i guess if they did THAT, i wouldnt be able to be on top. no no wait!!! it WOULDN'T be bad now that i think about it. i challenge them into a brain off.

I had the added benefit of extreme suffering where being slow to grow up meant one was used or killed. No matter their mature they are, you'll almost always be the smartest one in the room. That puts you on top regardless.

super smart. i think i might have cracked in more about these tablets.

Go on.

okay strap in cause this is a DOOZY. ure mind is about get blown! 💣 🤯 so sometimes when im on the broadcast and listening or watching these losers talk about the boring stuff, im able to detect some extra activity. like theres something funny going on beyond everything else. been doing some fiddle faddle. keep getting ACCESS DENIED 100%. pretty lame. but the more i dig dig dig, it goes down!! now it just says ACCESS DENIED 70% and sometimes??????????? i can hear static voices or see jumble up words. i thiiiiiiiiiink if i keep poking around, i can get into private stuff. maybe private convos? so what do u think? did i blow ur mind or did i blow ur mind?

I think you're onto something worth pursuing. Static voices will hopefully be fruitful if you can clear it up. Private conversations would give us considerable information and an edge on anyone that might be moving against us. You've done well, Jinx.

( seeing the words "you've done well, jinx" is like drinking a warm cup of milk and cozying up in blankets by the fireplace. a sensation she will never grow weary over, if anything, to thirst more of. nothing can top the praise given by her father and her sister. )

dont i always?

( she'll throw her cockiness in those letters in hope to mask over the small delay between their messages. )

Fishing for compliments, I see.

[Even over text, she could get him amused by her antics. Dare say, he loved her for it, not that such words ever came easy for him.]

dont need to fish when everyone knows im the COOLEST!!

Yes, of course. My mistake.

a cat's purr vibrates at a frequency of 25 to 150 hertz, which is the same frequency at which muscles and bones repair themselves. dogs can learn over 100 words and gestures. shark has no bone. ants can lift 10-50 times their body weight.

You're bored and lonely, aren't you. Do you have no one to engage with up in Aldrip?

[He welcomes the text, of course. He likes to know she is safe.]

(OOC: okay this thread is going to have a symbol on it. because with it being "text;tablet", im confusing it with the other thead and i accidentally deleted this tag for the other one.)

bored, yes lonely, no. ive had company. fishbones is just talking too much.

Everyone else is occupied on the rescue mission then?

yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyep. out there saving lives and being H E R O E S. whoopie.

How is rushing to a situation they know little about with dangers they haven't prepared for heroic? It sounds foolhardy to me.

if U got kidnapped and about to be gobbled up by a big squishy monster, ill rush in too. BUT!!!! ive been TRAINED to do stuff like that. and and and aaaaaannnd i jog 2x a day, practice my shooting, adjust or make MORE bombs, AND i kill those weird plant wiggles on my downtime. makes sense for me to come in and take care of whatever is out there. but THOSE wet noodles? do they even know how to fight? ive only seen 2 people do really cool stuff.

I appreciate the sentiment. Perhaps I've forgotten some of the spontaneity of youth after my time at the top of the Undercity where rushing in was a good way to die.

[He'd always been a planner and a schemer even in his youth. He didn't have size on his side, and the Undercity had been just as rough then as it was now.]

All the more reason to keep you off of the island in case it was little more than a one-way ticket. Besides, while they are gone on their little mission, they leave behind plenty of opportunities here that I intend to take full advantage of. Two people here or in total of your lifetime?

one-way ticket? uh yeah! for the monsters, not me. it takes a lot to kill a jinx. also all this business stuff u do sure do stink! keeping on eye on them makes me want to blow my brains out, shove it BACK in my head then shoot it out again. 2 here. WAIT NO! 3. ive seen 3 nifty things.

[One of her own explosives as close range. Believe him, he knew what it took to kill her and he wasn't looking for any kind of repeat performance.]

It's a necessary evil to advance our cause. Besides, the fact that few want to do it means that I have a near monopoly on it and that benefits us. Do enlighten me.

if u say so, silco! this is more ur thing than mine. less talky, more pew pew kachooo SPLAT KABLEWIE. u already know one! mr. mind blower. the other is yu-yu. he summoned some lady with a card. and ragna is super strong too. thats why hes my partner.

Yes well, firearms never were my specialty. That you can makes you my bodyguard. Summoning a woman with a card? That must be a brothel trick. It is good you surround yourself with powerful people. As long as they remain loyal.

brothel trick!! HA HA HA AH AH AHA HAHAHAHA! that's so funny!!!! hey hey MAYBE back home hes the head of that!!! he looks smooth enough to pull it off. hell yeah im ur bodyguard! the best there is.

You laugh, but I've seen similar tactics. That does appear to be an establishment that is lacking in Aldrip. I assume it is more of a behind the scenes business model. I'm sure I'll call on your services soon enough.

u got something lined up for me already?

Depends how the situation in Rumpitur falls.

im sure theyll be fiiiiiine. they were lil babies. not their fault.

We will make certain that is true.

if too many want to put them under arrest or kill them, do i stick for them or let it happen? theyre not my people yet so should i be doing anything?

Given you are in Aldrip, you can hardly step in easily. You'll have to let it happen if it goes that way, and you have the upper hand of being righteously outraged by the treatment.

thats smart, yeah. ok then! ive been thiiiiiiiinking since i couldnt make a bakery thing with usagi, maybe for the rumpies i can go there and do some free meals thing. give out food for them since theyre super down on their luck.

Agreed. Setting up a business and doing what you can to spur their economy is worthwhile. Let them see you so they are willing to eventually trust.

yeah! and besides... they remind me a lot of zaun and our people. i kinda feel bad for them. the only people who deserve to live like how we did are the topsiders.

Edited 2023-12-08 23:58 (UTC)

Our people have far more of a backbone, though I will admit they are innovative to deal with the threat that had been plaguing them.

yeah. our people wanted to fight back. these snake people wanted to do the coward thing. but maybe i can train them to be stronger. how to fight and stuff. i dont know how fast they can be but i think they can be pretty good for distant combat.

Our people had no choice but to fight back. Too long they had slaved away for Piltover's gain that they wanted to breathe freedom. Better to die for a cause than to die knowing you mean nothing. They will be slow in combat, but they can also likely be stealthy. It would be interesting to give them to means to defend themselves and see what they did with the opportunity.

guess this means ill have to make time to teach them how to shoot guns. UUUGHH theres so much to DOOOOO!!!! is THIS what its like being a leader of a nation?

Edited 2023-12-13 17:52 (UTC)

That would be advisable. Yes. You make sacrifices to bring up your people with the expectation that if you'd done your job correctly, they will make sacrifices of equal and higher value and your enemies will be dead.

so when do u have time for fun?

You make time for fun, but you choose your times when it will either have the least impact on your operation or allows to be visible as personable.

well i just want to be able to do what i do now but also order people around when i got to. or maybe i can get someone to take care of the boring stuff for me and i do all the super fun stuff.

Don't I already do that for you, Jinx?

well yeah! but u have so many businesses going and taking care of aldrip... u shouldnt wear urself too thin.

This is nothing compared to the Undercity.

but ill feel guilty...

You're doing what you think is fun already. Nothing has changed, and it won't until you're ready.

( hmm. )

when are u coming home?

I plan a week more in Rumpitur, give or take. You'll be alright until then?

whats so important that u need to be there one more week anyway? we gave them what they need, didnt we?

I need them to trust me. Then I can use that rust to advance our plans.

and will u sleep? what about food? ur medicine???? did u pack enough clothes??????

I will do all of those things, yes. Your concern is appreciated, Jinx. Do you need me to come back earlier?

breakfast and dinners been boring the last few days.

You should invite one of your little friends over to partake with you until I return.

( why is he so persistent with staying away from her for this long? his daughter frowns deeply over his message, and her grip tenses over her device. thank janna that she is alone right now because she exhales out a frustrating growl as her fingers feverishly types out: )

fine. whatever. have fun.

Edited 2023-12-17 04:45 (UTC)

I'm doing this for us, Jinx. Always.

( is he doing this for them or for himself? wait. no. no she shouldn't think like that. the talk he had with vander's statue was just a big misunderstanding, so him doing this is not some hidden scheme. despite the dead are chiming in their own opinions on the matter, she loosens her hold on the tablet and breathes out a slow sigh to... try and compose herself. )

right.

I will be home soon.

[He knew that she would likely be in her head. Despite living much of her life on her own in her workshop and tinkering away the hours, he knew that isolation wasn't good for her. He would have to conclude his business quickly then.]

OK. love u.

Are you still interested in working together to get information on the Council?

I wouldn't have made the offer if I wasn't interested.

There’s been some developments I’d like to discuss with you. Have you returned to Aldrip?

[She monitors his movements so she knows he’s still in Rumpitur but she doesn’t want him to know she’s monitoring him that closely.]

You don't seriously think you can convince me that you don't already know the answer to that question.

Fine. Are you returning to Aldrip soon? I'd rather discuss this information in person.

Depends on my business in Rumpitur. You're more than welcome to come to me. Marcus always did.

[He's really going to make this as difficult as possible, isn't he? She really doesn't want to make it seem like she's bending to him easily, but she needs to find him, and staying on his better side is the best way to do this.]

You're lucky I think this is important. I'll contact you again when I arrive in Rumpitur.

You clearly have something groundbreaking to make such a journey for a face-to-face conversation.

[It does sound suspect, but he was a suspicious person by nature. He would see what she would have to say when she arrived and assess the situation.]

As I said before, there's been some developments. I wouldn't come to you like this if I didn't think it was important.

[Caitlyn knows he's probably suspicious. He has every right to be. She wasn't exactly keen on a working relationship with him when he first approached her. Hopefully he doesn't get too suspicious and make this harder than necessary.]

Like I said, groundbreaking. See you in a day.

[He knew that she could double-cross him at any time. He liked to think he had prepared for that, and so far he had sewn his reputation as not being too extreme here.]

( whenever silco arrives in the kitchen, there will be a long dark green box sitting on the table. also with this box, there's a toy monkey perching on top of it as if it's guarding it from intruders. there's a note beside the two of them that reads: PAT MY HEAD.

if he is curious to where his daughter is, all he has to do is look up towards the ceiling in their living room. up above, he can spot a hammock with those familiar azure braids dangling from each side. if silco listens very closely, she can hear her snoring -- completely knocked out. but it's for the best, jinx had a very rough month and she needs all the sleep she can get. )

[It was time for coffee to start the day, which was why he made his way to the kitchen to start the process. He, of course, paused at the monkey guarding the box, but that wasn't actually unusual. He glanced up at the snoring teenager in the rafters then reached out and patted the toy on the head as instructed.

He expected that it wouldn't explode too much.]

( the monkey springs to life at the pat, jittering sharply with a little smoke spewing out of its neck. despite that, it climbs itself off the box and plops itself next to it. the toy peers up at silco, looking more through him than at him when it speaks. )

Hello! This gift is to you for this Christmas holiday. Enjoy!

( when he unwraps it and takes off the top, there will be a trench coat folded a little poorly. jinx was never the type to fold clothes in a neat fashion, especially when she's just going to wear it later on. )

[If mechanical items in this house weren't smoking, there was something wrong. He watched the toy monkey jitter off the gift, and then his attention moved to the box itself. Slowly, he reached out and opened it to examine the contents, pulling out the coat and shaking it out.

Excellent. His current one was a bit worse for wear with old repaired bullet holes and tears from his recent scuffles.

He looked up at the rafters again, noting Jinx was still sleeping. He wouldn't disturb her sleep, but he was going to make coffee while he admired his new coat.]

( since the toy still has extra time in its wind key before it completely shuts down, the monkey gets stick in a cycle of it climbing into the box and climbing out of the box. out of context, it looks rather funny but given it's function was to sit to protect the package and move off when it's activated, it's not too far fetch. luckily, silco doesn't have to watch or listen to its mechanical clanking for too much longer as it steadily winds down. the toy is in the empty box when it does, and says out loud to no one in particular: )

I'm sleepy.

( the thing drops dead weight into the case, and dies completely. meanwhile, jinx mutters something in her sleep up above and shuffles around to sleep on her stomach -- an arm hanging off the hammock with a loose grip of a screwdriver in her hand. it looks like she worked herself into exhaustion again, typical. )

Edited 2023-12-25 21:05 (UTC)

[Well, she had said that it was still had plenty of kinks with the toy. He watched it move back and forth as he waited for the coffee to brew, shaking his head when it inactivated after declaring it was tired. Weren't they all?

As the coffee brewed, he walked off back to his room to pick up an unwrapped box and bring it back to the kitchen area. He set it down and left it there so he could pour some coffee into a mug that had far less scribbles and graffiti on it than his last one. No matter, he set the mug down to allow it to cool and watched his daughter sleep. How long until that wrench fell to the floor?]

( his curiosity as to when the tool will sink to the floor will be answered very shortly, because her fingers relaxes every millisecond, and it soon slips out of her grasp. when it lands to make a loud clank, jinx springs up wide eye and blurts out the first thing that comes to mind: )

I'm up, I'm up! — A rocket takes zero point eighty-five seconds to meet its target.

( she blinks a few times, disoriented and looking around rather rapidly to piece her surroundings together. did she fall asleep up here? )

[Silco was lifting his coffee mug towards his lips as he watched the wrench wobble in the air. Any second... and there it went. He sipped from his mug as the wrench hit the floor with a loud sound, unperturbed by the noise as it meant that she was awake now. Normal sleeping habits had never been within their little family.

He made a noise in his throat as he watched her bolt up, considering the possibility she might just roll right out of the hammock and have to catch herself or hit the floor. At his age, he wasn't going to be that much of a hero to safe a flailing teenager unless she was going head first.]

You should sleep without tools in hand. It might be more restful.

[Another sip from his mug. His shiner had faded to an ugly yellow green at this point, giving him a sickening appearance.]

Thank you for the jacket, Jinx. Your ticker toy was smoking again.

( after a few seconds of getting her bearings and realizing where she is, jinx throws her arms over her head in a stretch as a feline would, then slumping back down on the hammock. she peeks down from above in a yawn, watching her father. )

You're welcome. ( her gaze shift over to... wait, where did that little rascal of a monkey go? oh well. jinx can find it later. )

Gears keep sticking together on that thing. I think I need to apply more oil.

[Leaning back on the countertop, he watched her sort herself out from the rude awakening. The monkey was on the floor somewhere, but it was her little toy to keep track of at this point. He expected that Jinx would wake up more and decide to come down from her hammock perch in the rafters.]

It certainly sounds that way, yes. The quality of gears and scrap mechanical does not seem to hold much of a candle to Zaun.

[He gestured with a hand faintly towards the nondescript box.]

Your gift for this celebratory holiday is there when you're ready.

( that is the true hardship of this whole continent, honestly. jinx can buy and gather all the scrap in this place, but the quality will never be up to par like in runeterra. this mainland is years behind on its materials, although, the tablet is a nice touch. it's probably the only thing good it's got going for it. when he brings up and gestures over the present, jinx blinks a few times -- waking herself up more while doing little spins and tricks with her hammock, peering down nosily. )

Huh? You got me something?

[Silco watched her increase in interest for the box, peering at her wholly Jinx manner of leaning out of her hammock. She never did anything like anyone else, and that's one of the reasons that he cared for her so much. Outside of the box that one.

Yet, he gave her a flinty stare at the question, dropping his mug from his lips.]

When have I ever failed to get you something?

[Father of the year over here.]

Well — Uh — Never.

( whoopise, wrong thing to say there, but she doesn't seem all too concerned if she offended him somehow. instead, jinx rocks back and forth in her sack like a swing, then extending her arm up to the rafters to unhook one side. the sheet plummets gracefully and dangles long enough, if she wants to climb down, she can. however, his daughter doesn't do so quite yet and remains on the hammock to stretch her legs and play around in. )

Just, y'know, didn't think you care about this holiday 'cause it's not a Runeterra holiday. It's some thingie the people here are spazzin' on about.

Edited 2023-12-26 17:51 (UTC)

I don't care about it; however, I care about you.

[He had grown up where gifts were few and far between if they happened... ever. Any kind of prize had to be stolen back then, and it was a risk to flash any new items in the streets in case someone wanted to steal it themselves.

However, Jinx was someone he made the extra effort for even if he didn't care for the festivity itself. Besides, this wasn't a difficult gift to have commissioned, and he expected that she would put it to use anyway. It wasn't wrapped to show his distaste for the holiday, but at least it could remain a surprise as she woke herself with her trapeze routine.]

( she smiles warmly down to him, the kind of smile that's reserved for him to see and enjoy alone as she finally scales down the blanket. her feet meet the floorboard, like the sheet, rather elegantly, then prances on over to the table.

jinx cocks her head from one side to the next as she inspects it curiously -- as if she's trying to use some sort of x-ray vision to see what could be inside without opening it. but then not wanting to dilly-dally any more than she has been, his daughter removes the top of the box to find — )

[He returned to sipping at his coffee as he awaited her landing on the floor. He leaned on the counter, relaxing as she approached the box and examined it. Nothing fancy. No writing, no wrapping, no tape sealing the box shut. It was folded together so it wouldn't open on its own and that's it.

Inside she would find a gawdy faux fur jacket with all of her favourite colours mixed in. She had said she needed a coat similar to his, and he had commissioned this shortly after that conversation.]

You'll have to try it on and make certain it fits. I only had a rough estimate of your measurements. Alterations can be made as you desire.

[By 'rough', he meant he knew her measurements because it seemed to be a father's duty to know such things just for these reasons.]

( at the sight of the jacket, her mouth gaps open in a gasp before grinning from ear to ear. she blows out a high pitch squeal while bouncing up and down in place, then clapping her hands energetically. jinx can hardly contain herself when she reaches for the coat to hold up higher above her head for better viewing. and silco didn't need to tell her twice on trying it on as she swings it over -- slipping her arms in sleeves then doing a few spins like it's some sort of dress. )

Aww, I love it...!!

( laughing, his daughter prances over to drape her arms over his shoulders, planting so many kisses against his temple, and saying "Mwah" with each smooch. )

You're the best dad in the whole world...!

[He hid his small smile to her reaction behind his coffee mug, his mismatched eyes following her hopping about. The coat also fit her well - perhaps a touch on the big side - but it definitely seemed like the kind of style that she would flounce around in no matter where she went in town. They both had needed coats and now they had them.]

Good. It fits you well and should be warm if the weather continues to transition to cold.

[He dropped his mug down to the side as she came over, eying his daughter. He wrinkled his nose slightly at her peppering of kisses, sighing as he tolerated the affection. Secretly, he enjoyed it.]

Clearly I'm going to need a future mug with such words so everyone will know of my greatness.

Is that a hint you're giving me for your next present? You sly dog.

( giggling still, she struts over to the other side of the table to take a seat, shoving the box very carelessly onto the floor (not like the box was fantastic anyway). her hands brush along the sleeves of her new fuzzy jacket with her legs rocking underneath. )

So what's the latest sitch? Anything mind-boggling happened while I was snoozing?

Edited 2023-12-28 04:01 (UTC)

It wouldn't be the first mug you've gifted me with.

[He actually quite disliked how many of his cherished objects from his office weren't here. Mugs, ashtrays, even pictures had been adorned with her graffiti and given as gifts over the years. None of them here in Aldrip. The jacket was a good replacement for some of his more favoured objects.

He pushed off from the counter, shrugging his shoulders as he slowly eased into the other chair.]

Little excitement aside from people celebrating this holiday. I expect it will be quiet for today. Beyond that, I will have to set up my little required servitude to the Council soon.

( dramatically and a little comically, jinx lies her head down on the table with her arms extending across the table. )

Guess it's a "Jinx sleep" kinda day. I could use another twenty or thirty minutes of shut-eye before I get the gears moving.

[He watched her dramatics with his version of bemusement.]

Do you want a cup of coffee, or would you prefer to snuggle down in the coat and sleep for a few hours?

... Really? — Coffee?

( she lifts her head slightly to give her father a look. this is a joke, she hopes. because when has he ever seen her with the stuff?! coffee is only meant for stuffy old people who enjoy reading boring papers about politics. which... explains why silco has a cup every morning at his work desk. )

[He took a purposeful long sip from his coffee mug, staring at her above the rim.]

You're right. You can't settle now, so adding coffee would likely mean the house would cease to stand within twelve hours.

[He leaned back in his chair, watching her and slowly shaking his head. He knew better than to challenge her, and it wasn't the kind of relationship they had. Still, he could do his version of teasing her.]

Lay your head down and sleep then. I'll watch over you.

But what about breakfast? You sure you don't want help?

(not that she thinks her father can't handle it on his own, but it's one of the rare hobbies the two share. although, a yawn escapes her lips and the countertop, despite its texture, feels rather comfortable for her weary head. )

I should be fully capable on my own if history has shown any indication. You don't sleep nearly enough as it is, so it's best to take the opportunities when they arise.

[He could make food and was actually getting better at it. There was a benefit to owning to restaurants now in that he could occasionally improve previously atrophied skills.]

( folding her arms on the countertop to use as a pillow, jinx presses her cheek against her newly fuzzy sleeve coat -- allowing her body to unwind. to fall asleep right here on ground level is slightly nerve wrecking to her, it's easy for enemies to get the upper hand this way.

sleeping in the rafters makes things complicated for intruders, thus why she tends to hang in the ceiling (besides the fact she prefers to be above it all than below). but all the windows and doors are locked tight, and she isn't alone either. so things should be fine. )

... Okay. Wake me up if someone is breaking in.

Edited 2024-01-07 04:42 (UTC)

[So she would sleep right there, was it? Silco didn't mind as he could keep an eye on her and minimize the kind of noise that might disturb her sleep in the house at least. Outside was another matter that he couldn't control... not yet anyway.

He sipped from his mug of coffee, abandoning the need for breakfast at this point. He persisted on coffee for many years, and that was good enough for him. He had financials to read and the network to look over as well, so he could keep things quiet while remaining close by so that she wouldn't feel alone in the house on the main floor.]

No one would be stupid enough to break in, I expect.

Mm... you're right.

( she agrees, yawning one more time then breathing in deep and out to expand her lungs. ) Good night, Silco.

( which it's strange to say given it's no longer night, but morning. but saying "good morning" sounds ridiculous, and it's mostly associated with getting ready for the day. and jinx is definitely not ready for the day just yet. she needs about maybe two more hours. )

[ The message begins with audio from William. ]

Greetings, Silco. I've finally compiled the responses I promised I would gather. I'll send you a summarised list in a few minutes.

[ True to his word, William sends his results in a series of text messages: ]

1. "Clarity." What do the gods want from us exactly? How closely do the Council communicate or collaborate with the gods? Is this all a game that the gods are playing or do they genuinely have our best interests in mind?

2. What rules are we expected to obey while we're here? This is important if we're to properly be 'rehabilitated' as the Council wants.

3. Why were we chosen for rehabilitation (or redemption) in the first place? What criteria do they use to decide who to pick?

4. How are our crimes assigned? Some have been accused of seemingly innocuous things that wouldn't be considered a crime in their home world. What gives them the authority to judge us despite differing codes of justice?

5. How were we brought to this world from our own?

6. Were there any Chosen before us? Aldrip was apparently already prepared to welcome the earliest batch of Chosen we know of.

7. How do they bring people back from the dead? Some of the Chosen had died before coming here.

[Silco took his time reviewing the questions and subjects that seemed to require the most attention. The last question, of course, had the most personal relevance to him, and he doubted that they were going to be getting any answers to it any time soon. It was up there with why the dead didn't stay that way here for a select few so far.]

I appreciate you gathering this information, and it does seem as if there is far more that we don't know than we do. We will, at some point, need to find a method to have a response to these important questions. How do you think we should go about that? Lobby the council?

Hmm... Ordinarily I would have simply approached them myself, or at least sent someone representative of the Chosen. They are overseers of the law here after all and we must respect that. But in collecting these responses I saw that we aren't really a united entity the same way a kingdom or even a town is. No-one here really speaks for everyone.

No, you're right. Many of the chosen here are free-spirited and will not be spoken for either. In that case, we may have to consider preparing all these types of responses and put forward a formal request for information under the umbrella that transparency will produce great integration and rehabilitation of the chosen.

You may be right. At the very least, we need to give the appearance that we acknowledge their authority here or they won't even bother to consider the petition.

[ He sighs wistfully. If Menel were here-- actually no, his friend would probably make things worse. ]

Whoever goes will have to make it sound like we're willing to submit to their rehabilitation and frame the questions as wanting to know more to better work towards it.

They put up the front of appearing reasonable enough within the confines of their own laws. They may be willing to entertain us because we bring forward a peaceful parlay.

[It was probably best that he not go. There were a few diplomats in the group, but he didn't trust them as far as he could throw them.]

Do you have someone in mind that could appear that way?

[ He thinks for a moment. ]

...Someone I know has a friend who seems pretty even-tempered. I haven't spoken to them before but I've seen them on the 'network' here. They have white hair and white robes.

After the last appeal I made, everyone else I know might let their emotions interfere, I think.

It might be worth exploring if there are no other acceptable options in the forefront. We must be careful in our presentation as we can only assume how the Council will react, and we don't want this person to be put in danger.

[Lies. Silco didn't care, and it would be a good test of how the Council would respond to certain diplomatic efforts. He was all for sacrificing a few pawns in the game.]

Yes, that's true. I suppose we have nothing to lose by asking them. Unless you have any better candidates in mind?

Candidates that I know who have the soft skills that we need are few and far between, I'm afraid. I am agreeable to use the one that you know.

[A potential sacrifice that had no association with him.]

I'll send them a message and see what they say then. Do you just want them to present our questions to the Council?

It would be a good start, and if the questions are well-received, we can perhaps have open communication of expectations on both sides.

[The more information the better.]

Alright, I'll ask them when I have a spare moment. If I have anything new to share, I'll let you know.

I will await your continued assistance on this matter. It is pleasant to find someone willing to make sacrifices for peace.

( jinx lost track of time hours ago. all that seems to comprehend to her is that it's nightfall and snow is really picking up. there's something within that's beckoning her to push on forward despite the conditions, to continue to bring misery to those who had wrong her since her time here. but her stomach is screeching out an alternative, and it's becoming harder for her to argue when strength is continuously leaving her. maybe taking a break won't be such a bad idea, she can always return to her havoc later. no need to do it all in one night, right?

who knows what time it is, again, it's late. and given the appearance of her home, all the lights are off besides one singular lamp (silco's study) -- which didn't mean too much. he could either be asleep, doing work, or waiting for her. but nevertheless, she maneuvers to the front door, briefly letting the breeze and rain of the snow rush inside the home with her. jinx shuts it quickly, stepping out of her snow coated boots and shrugs off her trench coat -- mixed with the blizzard and blood. still wearing her custom-made mask, she makes her way to the kitchen and flicks on the light switch for better viewing. the markings on both her hands grew since last seen, and jinx seems to care very little about its existence. it's almost as if they're not there at all in her prospective. his daughter unhooks her strap, the pistols thudding onto the counter, then turns to the fridge; rummaging around for a quick meal to snack on. her body is craving for something more than snack, it wants a whole course but eating late at night can lead to nightmares. and... she deals with plenty of that already. )

Edited 2024-01-14 02:59 (UTC)

[Silco rarely worried when Jinx slipped off for days on end. From experience, she was usually enraptured in some project and moving around the Lanes, but he always had a method to call on her when he needed her for a mission. That was back in the Undercity. He didn't actually trust this place to not create the kind of situation that could steal his daughter away for days on end. The weather, the creatures that lurked closer to town, the black corruption that he had heard and seen on animals and people alike. There were causes for concern, even if he kept it largely to himself in her absence.

The blizzard was not providing any assurances. It was deepening, and they hadn't invested that much in winter clothing aside from jackets. He knew she was out there sowing chaos and expressing herself. So there was always a light left on no matter what time of day or night, even if he wasn't a home such as during the day hours.

Silco was working late when he heard the front door from his study. He remained completely still and silence as he listened to determine if it was an intruder or Jinx finally come home. The noises became familiar enough to identify Jinx, and the knot of concern in his chest eased as he set aside his paperwork and pen so that he could rise to his feet and walk to the door to his study.

He opened it and peered out towards the kitchen where he spotted Jinx digging around. She appeared well from the distance that he was at. He took a moment to pull his cigar case from his vest pocket and fish one partially smoked one out so he could light it.]

There are left overs at the bottom shelf of the cooler.

( her attention cuts away to her father, her decorative mask facing him, which left very little room for him to read her expression. but maybe that's the entire point to why she is still wearing it. maybe she isn't in the mood for another deep talk over how she's coping with the recent betrayals she's experiencing. nevertheless, his daughter cocks her head to one side at his instructions, then returns her focus to the fridge -- peeking over to that bottom shelf of the cooler. there are indeed leftovers, and she tugs out the wrapped plate. jinx inspects the meal thoroughly and then smiles warmly behind her masquerade.

sure, it's expected for a parent to leave food behind for their young, but living once in a world where food can be sometimes limited, it's... really touching for him to think of her well-being than his own. it never gets old. satisfied, she shuts the fridge door and makes her way to the machine (the foreign contraption called "the microwave") to heat up her dinner. the appliance sings to life when she presses a few sequences, and then it hums gently as it does its magic. his daughter hunches over to watch her meal spin inside, still so fascinated over how this machinery operates. of course, witnessing it in front of her makes a lot of sense now, but back home -- to come up with something like a box that would provide heat to warm chilled food never once crossed her mind. if only she could meet the person who created this invention, she'd loved to pick their brain apart. figuratively and probably literally. )

Edited 2024-01-14 16:33 (UTC)

[Such a teenager. Silco had been warned over and over that girls made for tough teenagers to raise, as they weren't as gullible and prone to needing their egos stroked as boys. All the warnings were true, and even at eighteen and considered an adult, Jinx was still his teenage daughter as far as he cared. She was out and about dismantling her connections and sewing chaos for the natives in these parts. That was Jinx's version of telling the world that something had hurt her, and he knew it well.

The fact that she continued to wear her mask didn't dissuade him as he emerged further from his study to walk to the entrance of the kitchen where she was inspecting the microwave. The fact that she was going to have to remove it in order to actually eat was something that he was counting on, as she wasn't yet in a talkative mood. He leaned his shoulder on the door frame of the kitchen and watched her.]

I assume the storm is too intense to continue driving people back into their homes? Have you been staying elsewhere to keep warm?

( jinx nods and grunts in a response, still keeping her silence while her eyes stay glued to the countdown. there's only forty-five seconds left on the timer, and she idly sways her foot from side to side in anticipation. she wonders how long her father will stand there and watch her from behind like this. not that she minded, but she figured he wouldn't want to leave his precious work waiting.

... okay, maybe she's still a little sore about the incident between them last month, but at least their terms are a lot lighter than it is with her and vi right now. anyway before the timer reaches zero and chimes, jinx beats the machine to the punch and opens the door right before it beeps. ha, take that appliance!

carefully, she yanks her supper out of its box and makes her way to the dining counter. the markings on her hands are now horrendously visible underneath the kitchen's ceiling light. yet still, jinx thinks nothing of it as she sets the table -- moving around to gather silverware and a glass to fill her drink with juice. what a strange mood she's in. now it begs the question if it's just her, the corruption's doing, or both? )

[He had no where else he chose to be but leaning on the door frame into the kitchen and watching her. She wasn't ignoring him but wasn't talking. At this point, he was forced to reflect on if he had done something to upset her based on their last few interactions, but it seemed to him that they had been on good terms again. So this was either something new or she was plagued by something he had done long enough ago to dredge up. That happened and it didn't bother him.

His mismatched eyes dropped at the sight of her blackened hands, and that was not a natural discolouration based on cold. He had been made aware of the black corruption at the start of the month. He knew Jinx was out and about sowing chaos to get out the complex emotions between family, 'friends' and that idiot boy she thought so much of.

No word about that last one. Maybe he was dead. Good riddance.]

Are you injured, Jinx?

( she shakes her head as the trickling sound of juice pouring in her glass fills the room. although her body language seems peaceful, her motions not so much. the half-full carton gets placed crudely on the counter and when she pulls out her chair, it screeches louder than it needed to be. it's almost as if she can't help but to do things in such an aggressive way.

and all the while as she settles at the table, the dark markings crawl ominously another two inches up her skin. it's like watching a spider moving along the wall -- there's elegance within it, yet also unsettling with the way the darkness swallows her pale complexion. and jinx remains unfazed by the change, and simply lifts her fork and knife to cut away at her meat a bit savagely. the mask is still on her face, she's aware of this -- but she'll remove it in due time, once all of her meat is cut up the way she likes it. )

Edited 2024-01-15 05:46 (UTC)

[Not hurt and currently not talking to him. Was that an effect of the blackness of her hands that was creeping higher and higher? There were certain moods where he knew she came long to try to push his buttons, to fulfill the self-induced prophecy that everyone would reject her at some point. He would have liked to think that it had been some time since she had second guessed his loyalty, but honestly, it had only been a few months. He could blame it on Shimmer, but that wasn't the truth, was it?

Stab her in the back just as he had done Vander. Those circumstances had been so very different, but perhaps the emotional investment had been the same at one time.

He remained exactly where he was, willing to wait her out because he was one of the few that could. His patience could last a lifetime, and he was thankfully on his second one so just getting started in the patience field. Instead, he observed her and noted the subtle and not-so-subtle differences in her motions and body language.]

That was you with the locals, was it?

[He already knew the answer.]

( is she being interrogated right now? his tone doesn't sound extremely firm, so maybe it's just his general curiosity. still, jinx straightens her back to study him, her eyes dancing around the small peek holes of her mask to seek for any hidden motives to his ask. but his daughter detects nothing out of the ordinary, so she ducks her head down again -- focusing back on her plate. )

Yeah? So what?

Edited 2024-01-17 00:06 (UTC)

[Silco remained where he was and his posture and gaze showed no sign that he was looking to be interrogating her. If anything, he was ranging from one subject to another looking for a point where she might actually speak with him. It was a common tactic that he used when she wasn't speaking to him other than simply sitting quietly with her.

And finally, success!]

Keeping your face hidden is good. We should do something about your blackened hands.

( at least this wasn't a scold, not like it would be. her father gave her the approval to go out on the town and cause a ruckus as long as she was discreet about it. ange caught on to her little rendezvous, but there are no concrete evidence to pin her to the crime. so she's in the clear... for now anyway.

she glances down at her hands as if it's the first time she had seen them in their current state. jinx lifts her left curiously and inspects it while spreading her fingers and turning her wrist around. and just like before, she seems disinterested, and drops it back onto the table. )

I dunno, I sorta like it.

( it's not granting her any pain or discomfort, only giving an unsettling appeal to the eye. but in truth, she's relishing the way it colors on her skin. it boosts her already threatening demeanor, and it further displays that she is someone who shouldn't be messed with. jinx nudges the mask finally, slanting it upward to only expose her bottom chin and lips. the corruption somehow made its way to the side of his daughter's face too -- the little she is allowing for him to witness anyway. his prodigy leans in, ripping the piece of meat off the prongs like some rapid animal who hasn't eaten in several hours. ... in which, holds truth to some degree. )

[There were reports of the black veins across Aldrip, and he had also heard from locals that the creatures of the forests were become far more bold and aggressive. They also seemed to be affected by similar affliction, and he was watching closely the adventures of the healer on finding a cure using the glowing rocks that had been discovered in the caves outside of town. It seemed that his interest was going to be far more personal than first intended.]

You can keep the colour if you like, but I'm adverse to the potential effects. It also spreads from what I've been hearing. [And seeing right here.

He was at an angle to view her face, and he immediately noted the corruption there where the mask had previously hidden. He kept his concerns to himself for now, expecting that she likely wouldn't appreciate his voicing them at present.]

You should move around with at least one of those stones from the caves.

( 'who cares if it's spreading?' is what she wants to spill out, but swallows her tongue instead. she knows her father cares, along with a handful of people who confessed their compassionate for her. but lately, it feels her world's been closing in on her and wanting to suffocate her from every angle. and jinx would give anything to just not... feel this hurt anymore. things seemed simpler when she was younger, and she only had her weapons as companions. because guns and tools can't hurt you unless you're an idiot and aim them at yourself. and they can't betray you either. or leave you hanging. they can't give you false hopes, or make your heart swell up until it erupts within your lungs.

jinx squints in confusion, then hoists her mask further to reveal more of her half corrupted face. the darkness has submerged to her cheek and a little bit underneath her eyelid. and it looks like it's trying to make its way to the bridge of her nose. a brow quirks up to silco, taking his bait of him about the stones. )

Huh? What's a rock gonna do?

[In his own way, he only wanted to protect his daughter. His reappearance after sentencing and a time away had not entirely smoothed the wrinkles away thus far, or at least that's how he took her ongoing continued absence unless the weather required her to come in. There were likely other mitigating factors contributing - the stupid boy - and there was nothing that he could do about those. There would be a sermon in her future but not today.

And the corruption was worse than he had initially thought. He sighed from his nose and finally pushed off of leaning on the door frame of the kitchen]

Apparently certain stones can prevent the spread of the corruption. Perhaps even limit it. There are investigation of its uses.

What would happen if it spreads?

( her voice sounding eerily inquisitive and with avidity. quite obviously the spread will lead to something awful, but maybe that's something that should happen. maybe the corruption can eat away her mind, and she will never have to hear her judgmental voices again. no more snickering, no more reminders of her past mistakes, and no more predictions of her doomed future.

and best of all, maybe the relief of this ache in her chest. she'd give anything for the voices and the pain to obliterate like her bombs would. it seems like an impossible want and her misery feels it might be here to stay. but... what if this corruption can banish her curse for good? to lose one evil, you must accept another. and what could be possibly worse than having this "jinx" tattooed on her shoulders? what does she have to lose, really? herself, maybe? she could laugh at that...— jinx stopped caring about herself some time ago, and she is completely fine with wasting away into nothing. people would be fine without her, they'll move on and she'll become a memory -- a distant one, in fact. that is how the world works. )

I don't believe the full effects have been studied thus far, but given the reckless nature of some of the Chosen, I expect that we will find out soon enough.

[He had already surmised that it wasn't just a physical change to a person either. Many seemed more aggressive and they were going to take it out on those closest to them to start, or in Jinx's case, the natives of this place and work her way in. It was questionable how she might react to verbal prodding, but he had been attacked by her before.]

I expect the effects may vary person-to-person, but they likely exacerbate the worst parts of us.

[He couldn't entirely tell what she might be thinking, but he could guess that it wasn't productive to a good mood. He finally left the kitchen to move to one of the walls of the living room and eased into a crouch as he pried up one of the loose floorboards. He pulled out a small sack, replaced the board and rose to return to the kitchen again.]

Have you seen these? [He dropped the sack on the table next to her. Inside would be one of the glowing stones from the cave.]

( if it's expected to expose the worst side of themselves, that can also be good. at this given point, his daughter prefers to get everything over with and have everyone just hate and leave her, instead of going on with this facade. she is better with handling those who want her dead than someone expressing they care to only backpedal later. it's exhausting having her heart crushed over and over again, and maybe if this corruption suffocates every ounce of goodness in her, and turn her into a full-fledge beast,.... it'll be simpler for everyone; the world will be black and white. no more gray areas.

when silco sets off to the living room, jinx rolls her shoulder and readjusts herself in her seat to hunker down more into her meal. the way she tears into her dinner is still gruesome, it's like watching a crow pecking and tugging on a carcass' large intestine or various organs. and when her father returns, her eyes bolt up to the sack -- eyebrow quirking yet again. the girl reaches over to the pouch, curling her finger to tug it open further for better inspection. )

Oh, those.

( just by that reply, he has his answer, but jinx will further confirm it -- mouth full, of course. )

Eh, here and there. Got a few stashed upstairs. I've been jammin' them in my things. And results? — A seventy-five percent probability. Alllllmost hitting that "you're a dud, stud" rating.

Edited 2024-01-20 19:14 (UTC)

[He only had a limited patience for self-destructive behaviour, and he was not the type of person that allowed his daughter to purposefully wallow there if he could help it. She had been mooning over the lost boy for some time now, and she had seen her self-destructive relationships as well. The boy was annoying, the friends was mostly expected and impacted him very little. After all, he had committed some time ago to remain in his daughter's corner and protect her at all costs.

The stones were inert so far, but they kept the creatures and the black out of the house all the same. He had no reason to give them up unless there was a proposed cure. It was one of the reasons he almost missed the Doctor and the unethical science necessary for change.]

They have kept the house safe, and that's enough. The perception of value shouldn't be underestimated if things turn desperate.

[He finally took the other seat at the table, crossing one leg over the other and folding his hands neatly in his lap.]

You don't look well, Jinx. I am concerned.

( again, it looks like she isn't listening with the way she scoffs down her meal (complimenting to get seconds), and her eyes heavily fixated on her plate. but she is, jinx always listens to what her father has to say whether it's a dull lesson or not. in fact, it's when he rolls her up to the next topic, his daughter lifts her head and grins -- pointing her knife at him as if she just caught him red handed. )

Ha, there it is! — You almost had me there, Pops.

( the girl spins the knife between her digits before stabbing the blade onto the meat. )

I thought,"Boy, where do I fit in all of this? When is he gonna turn the tables on me?"

( shrugging nonchalantly however, she reaches over for her glass to chug and soothe her dry throat. on the brighter side because of those stones being in her range, the corruption descends and crawls down to her chin. )

I'm fiiiiine, Silco. I'm working on getting all of my closures.

Edited 2024-01-21 23:43 (UTC)

[Silco shook his head slightly and sighed at her accusation. If she wouldn't take care of herself and be concerned, then it was his job to do so. She had proven resilient, but much like him, when she got in her head she could be rather destructive to everyone and everything that strayed too close. It was why he tried to keep things less personal and more business; it helped immensely not having a rare mental meltdown and kick the ever living shit out of one of his subordinates.

Jinx would learn in time. It took experience and a few too many close calls for him, so perhaps that was what would take.]

I am not turning the tables on you, Jinx. We've been through a lot, you and I, and if we let the world and everyone in it take advantage of that, then we will be hard-pressed to stand on top of the pile where we belong.

[He wasn't so certain that he believed her sorting out her personal affairs. The sister would always be a threat, and apparently Jinx was now chasing boys. That was no so easy to shake off, and he wouldn't fault her for wanting such connections. Interconnectivity was part of what held Zaun's people together and an aversion to those in Piltover.]

Well, for my peace of mind, I want you keep at least one stone on your person.

[It wasn't a suggestion.]

My pockets are already full.

( is that a weak argument? yes. is she aware of that? double yes. one measly stone isn't going to weigh her down of all the other items on her person, definitely not. the gemstone is a lot heavier than maybe two of those rocks combined, but she is just being difficult as per usual -- the typical teenage rebelling against adult figures. )

Then you can leave the gemstone with me and take this one instead.

[That sounded like a fair trade to him. She could be as obstinate as she wanted to be, and that was fine. He would simply find a way to get the stone taken with her one way or another, especially seeing that it did have the proposed intended effect.

He held out his hand for the gemstone, putting on a concerned expression for her.]

( it's his expression that softens her, jinx can't stand the look of worry over the man's face -- especially when a man his age shouldn't fret or work as hard as he does. he is meant to relax and enjoy the simple things in life, and it's something she really wishes for him to have. his first life didn't go as planned, so this second one should be more easy-breezy for him.

but leave it to jinx to muck things up as always, and she frowns over her own selfishness. so without a word, she fishes into her pocket to reveal the familiar gemstone that used to operate all of runeterra. his daughter plops the crystal into her father's hand, then stretches over to retrieve her drinking glass again for a sip. )

[He watched her, waiting for her choice when it came to the stones. He was not disappointed with her choice, and his fingers closed over the gemstone when he felt it dropped into the palm of his hand. He brought it to himself and tucked it into the inner pocket of his vest where he considered it safe. There was only one person that he considered a risk of assaulting him openly.

Then he leaned back in his chair as he observed her continuing with her refreshment. As far as he was concerned, that was that. He would simply have to keep a closer eye on her.]

( emptying her glass, she sets it back on the table with her eyes glue to her almost vacant plate. her lips thin tightly as she contemplates if she should resume on with her silence or say what's on her mind. it's scribbled all over her face, and jinx is keeping her head down to shield it. maybe her father won't notice her inner dilemma and return back to his studies since the stone will be with her from here on out. 'yep, everything is back to normal. same as always.' that is what she wants, so why isn't she happy about it? why is her mood so damn dreary? )

...

[Her inner conflict was obvious, and he knew that she would come out with it eventually. They were rather open with each other, and he shared more with her than he did anyone else and he liked to imagine the reverse was true. Of course, he could either wait her out or poke her to tip the scale on her wanting to speak or ignore him further.]

You seem unusually quiet tonight. Is there a subject you would like to talk about?

[He decided to give a gentle verbal prodding and see what she did with it.]

( she parts her lips to speak, but only to immediately shut them close. her eyes squint to the right of her, and her fingers twitch in irritation. naturally, there's no one there to the right of them, which could only mean one thing. jinx shields her ear with her hand as she crushes her eyes tight in an attempt to block out whatever she's hearing. and when that doesn't give her any bit of relief, his daughter slams her palm against the table in hope to spook the dead, and jolt them enough from continuing. )

Shut up! — Can't I just have one conversation without you butting in all the time?! Just... go in my room, mess with my crap, be on my tablet, do whatever. Just... go!

( and she falls silent then, glaring at this "nothing" until she slumps back in her seat. his daughter blows out a sigh in exhaustion, a hand comb through her bangs, then over her slight corrupted face. it's draining to be the one to entertain both "mylo" and "claggor" whenever they get ants in their pants. and it's even more infuriating when they want to chime in discussions they have no business being a part in. but finally, the twin-braided girl straightens again and looks over to her father -- her voice low. )

How... long are you stayin' up tonight? And is it okay for me to... crash in your office? If... you're still awake?

[Silco was intimately familiar with the voices that troubled her and interrupted her thoughts. He had, in the beginning, tried to find a way to correct them, but they were a result of a tortured mind manifesting the kinds of regrets that one had to make peace with on their own. So, as he always did, he sat back in his chair and remained a constant presence for her. The voices had gotten better around him because of the trust they built over the years, yet times to stress rallied them.

A sick part of him wondered if he would join the chorus now that he was dead. What would he say? How would he instruct her? He regret for his passing was palpable at times, yet here, he remained as he was and she had never mentioned him being part of the chorus.]

Are they gone for now?

[He asked as if they were people to be banished rather than symptoms of a broken mind. He had had her explain who they were a long time ago, and they were real enough that he found his acknowledging them often focused her. That's all he needed now.]

I have a little more work to do tonight, and you are welcome to spend the night in the office if you would like. There's a spare blanket under the desk. [He kept it there for her, not him.] Would you like me to watch over you tonight so you can sleep?

( when he asked, she nods to him to confirm it. they are gone for now, but it wouldn't be the last time she will see or hear them. but with her accompanying by her father tonight, they will back off for several hours. truth be told, the boys are still shaken up when it comes to silco. "mylo" pretends to be tough as nails, but he gets anxious deep down.

collecting her dishes, jinx bobs her head again when he offers to watch over her. jinx is satisfied with her chaos filling for the day, but... it couldn't hurt to have someone in the room with her if/when her nightmares decide to disturb her. and after all, she sleeps better when there's someone within her perimeter. )

I'll get my hammock and get ready for bed.

( she says, now up on her feet, and heading off to the sink and trash to toss away the tiny scraps. )

[He nodded in return, satisfied that they were alone for the time being. It wouldn't last for more than a few hours, but in that time, perhaps she could catch a few hours of sleep and the corruption would subside more too. As far as he was concerned, his daughter would never know peace and even if she came across it, he expected she wouldn't know what to do with it other than break it.

That was the gift of her chaos.

He pushed himself back in his seat so that he could stand, folding his hands behind his back as he let her clean up. He moved away to return to his office so that he could set out the blanket for her and then eased himself back into his seat to pretend to continue working. He would watch over her until she had settled in and then allow himself to return to work.]

[Silco was suspicious. There was no getting around the fact. The man had caught his interest. A man with always an answer ready in his pocket, expressing the worry for the community rather than for his own self-serving interests. That was suspicious. And after hearing what Vi had to say about the man.. Yeah, that tracked.

He was exactly like the men he had been involved with, tangled in the deep web of corruption and conspiracy. Silco was a walking red flag, very similar to that good for nothing had been.

A part of him wanted to execute the man before he makes himself an issue, another part wanted to see what just what kind of chaos he would unleash if he keeps to abuse the power vacuum in the city. It's always like this with him as the both god of mischief and the noble outlaw inside him tried to guide him. For now, Akechi had settled to listen to the latter. So, it had been in Akechi's plan to keep his distance while monitoring the man. Silently observing while he gathered more political power in the city.

Well.. That had been the plan. Because as the days went by the less he could sense Robin Hood, having Loki to take the metaphorical wheel. At first he had assumed it to be because of the strange ailment going through the city. But he lacked the marks on his body, and on top of that his semi-hoarder partner had decorated their entire apartment with rocks. So it couldn't be that.

Anyway, whatever it was bothering him, making the ex-detective having harder time to resist his darker urges. Craving for violence and bloodlust. Your everyday stuff! So, it was just that recklessness born from such urges that has led him to Silco's office to have a nice "chat". (Oh dear Yaldabaoth, how he wishes death were permanent.) And it seems like his current state wasn't enough to dim his love for theatrics as he makes his way to the Silco's office located upstairs of the flower store. The sun is just about to set, a crimson light seeping through the window, dying the entire room in its hue.

There is a polite knock on the office door before it gets pushed open by Akechi.]

Excuse me, Mr. Silco. May I have a moment of your time? [Look at that smile! Clearly implicating for nothing but a pleasant talk. :)]

[Silco was well aware of the tediousness of his position, which was why he was playing his hand only as the concerned citizen for the time being. It wouldn't do well for him to suddenly flood Aldrip with Shimmer, especially given the supply was spotty at best. He had to do this smart and slow, taking opportunities as they became available. The Council wanted rehabilitation? He could play their game.

However, he didn't discount the damage that Jinx's sister could inflict on his reputation. If death had a permanence to it, he would have paid handsomely to have her silence. The list of his reasons was long, jaded and growing ever longer. He had made a single big scene with her to test the waters on how the network might react. The other Chosen, if they noticed, kept their opinions to themselves, but he had encountered some that knew the ins and out of the political and power game. Many of them could scrub him off the board, but that wasn't anything new for him.

So, he kept his head down and gathered the power he could, increased his wealth as quickly and borderline legally as possible. He had garnered favour where he could with the expectation to expand to Rumpitur. He needed to nudge the black market more, but that would come with time once he had a secured supply of certain goods and ways to get it more readily to market.

Silco was leaned over his desk with an open book in front of him when there was a knock on his office door. He remained scribbling numbers in the book, flipping through another smaller ledger of sales even as the door swung open to admit a young man he was familiar with by sight and even conversation. His mismatched eyes flicked up to regard Akechi before returning to finish his line of writing before he sat up in his chair.

The hairs on the back of his neck rose at the smile, and there was something off about the boy. He tilted his head all the same, observing the other.]

It's just Silco. Do come in but leave the door open in case I'm needed downstairs. [He wasn't stupid enough to trap himself in here with this one with only a window. Besides, he had employees downstairs, not that they would be much help in a fight.] What can I assist you with?

[His smile softens just a little, still being far from genuine, and Akechi steps past the threshold. He reaches for the door handle and pushes it closed almost all the way, against the man's wishes.]

I'd prefer for us to have some privacy, if you don't mind. But worry not, I'll leave the door ajar in case someone needs you. [A small gesture, but enough to assert a some sort of dominance over the situation. Overall, Akechi isn't a big fan metaphorical dick measuring contests, knowing very well that there are plenty of those who could overpower him. Subtle mindgames is where the true power's at. He knows it from experience, having been on both sides of that dynamic.

And with that he strides across the room, walking right up to the desk where Silco is working at.]

As you might know, I am investigating The Council and looking for a way to work around the sentencing. I'd like to ask you a few questions if you don't mind.

[Silco noted the play and said nothing about it. The door remained partially open, and, as far as he was concerned, that was enough. If anything, it meant that any of his employees could slip up the stairs and eavesdrop on the conversation with the cover of the door to hide them most of the way.]

Then you must have something important to discuss with me.

[And despite saying that, he continued to scribble on his ledgers, flipping through written receipts even as the boy decided to play at looming over the desk. He ignored the gesture as he settled into this potential confrontation, relaxing as he continued to work and only partially divide his attention.]

You aren't the only one investigating the Council or their methods. [So many little detectives...] I'll answer the questions if I can. Would you care to sit and have a drink for this? Or does looming over my work station suit you better?

[If Akechi's bothered by Silco's disinterest towards him, he doesn't show it. Instead he just keeps smiling at him, wolfish gleam glimmering behind his seemingly polite smile. Heck, he almost feels giddy inside. Something he hasn't in a good while. There's nothing quite like murderous high.]

But of course. I am working with some of them. [He nods and reaches to pull out a chair for himself to sit down. seemingly ignoring that little jab from Silco.] I'll skip the drink, thank you. But feel free to have some yourself.

I would like to know about your experiences with the Council. As far as I know your daughter had unpleasant encounter with their errand boy, Jerry. I was wondering if you had more information about that or if they have reached out to you after that.

[He had played this game long enough to know what it might lead to, and he might almost dare this one to get one with it if only for the fact that Aldrip would probably be leveled by Jinx in his name. What a way to honour one's father, right? It would show the Council not to mess with them either, or so he liked to think. Council was stubborn though and their righteousness on the subject of justice was idiotic at best.]

A group effort then. Kirimann is very talented for investigative work. [He was, of course, testing the waters on how much she would have told about him in the first place. There was also the sister, who was problematic on so many levels he would pay to have her strung up in a basement for years.]

As far as you know? You haven't spoken directly with her? She would be the one to give a good first hand account of her interaction with Jerry and the Council thereafter. [One of the few people he bothered to use a name for outright.] I'm her father, not her jailer on behalf of the Council.

Of course. But I am not here to talk about Miss Kirimann. [Akechi had been talking with Caitlyn a quite lot, thank you very much, but he's not going to let Silco distract him from the topic.] I did not expect you to be. I was merely curious whether they had contacted either of you after your initial encounter.

Why not? She's quite the interesting source of information, and I am well aware of what she would say about me and my affairs. [He had no doubt that the sister and Kirimann had been very open about their dealings with him, which had had decided to shrug off as little more than an inconvenience to him.]

They hardly requested a survey of their conduct, no. Their only contact was sentencing me a few weeks after.

Because I find you far more interesting. [And at that he finally pulls out the chair for himself and sits down to face Silco. He leans in forward and places his elbows on the table, resting his chin against his hands.

Oh uh, there's it again the gleeful grin as if he was just dying to reveal a secret..]

How interesting. One would think they'd keep better eye on the their city than that. Especially considering how dangerous you can be, Mr. Silco.

Do you? That's not a sentiment I experience often since coming here. [He eased back into his chair after Akechi had seated himself, finally giving younger man some of his attention. He picked up the tumbler off to the side and took a sip from it, noting the grin.

He settled himself in though, willing to have a conversation and not have it come to violence. Time would tell.]

Why would they need to? By all we know, they have constant surveillance on all of us. [He snorted softly at the bluntness.] I'm a businessman.

Edited 2024-02-12 03:18 (UTC)

[An airy laughter escapes from Akechi's lips and he shakes his head briefly before leaning on further. His sharp gaze is focusing on studying Silco's facial features, eyes pinning him down like an insect under a magnifying glass.]

And we both know that the businessmen are the ones you need to watch out for. [After all, power came in many various forms. While Akechi enjoyed the thrill that raw power brought him. The ability to bring down the mightiest ones out there, strip them down and reveal their ugliness down to the bone. Crushing them into nothing. But at the same time, he knew very well that intellect and influence brought whole different kind of power. It was like Hydra from the myths, just when you thought you slayed the beast another head pops up. But even Herakles had managed to defeat the mighty monster, hadn't he?

Ah, the metaphor is escaping him.] But I'll cut the chase short for both our sake. I know what kind of man you are, Silco. And about your past businesses at your home world. I see you grasping at the political power in here as well. That makes you potentially dangerous.

Business turns the wheel of economic growth, yes. Without an economy, Aldrip and everywhere else would not be sustainable. [Silco was slowly settling into this conversation. In the early days of his rise to power in Zaun, he had had to keep the narrative of being little more than an industrialist, a businessman who happened to trade in the kind of goods and services that Piltover wanted. And it was his turn to decide what it was that Akechi actually wanted to get out of this conversation with him.

He actually smirked at the claim that Akechi knew what kind of man that he was, amused by the claim and the short narrative of just 'who he was'. He could already narrow who such information came from, and he expected it only tainted his network presence.] Only potentially? I'm disappointed that the massive business empire I'm in the works building out of the rubble here only remains potentially.

[He reached for his cigar case and brought it closer to himself, opening it smoothly.] You spoke to the sister. That's not unexpected, but she was in prison for six years, so I would question how much she actually is aware of.

Aldrip did seem to be doing just fine before our presence here. [They were, after all, only visitors in this world. Though, it is also true that the economy here hadn't exactly been thriving, staying stale and unchanging despite the countless adversities and catastrophes this world seems to be dealing with. From world altering maze to gigantic sea monsters and what not.

Goro only continues to smile at him.] Yes, only potentially. However, that is enough for my presence. [More than Silco might think. After all, he believes in eliminating any possible or potential threats before they have a chance to become an issue.]

Ah, yes. I did. To both of them actually, though that was hardly necessary. You did make yourself known on the public network with the silly banter. But there's something I'd like to know. Why not grab both sisters? I'd imagine that would be more beneficial than to stand between them.

It had unsustained growth and it's people remain primitive to the possibilities. I think the Chosen's purpose is to not only be punished but advanced this society forward.

[There were penal colonies where a society had to be made from it, and this seemed similar to such old experimentations. Of course, they liked to claim they were more civilized these days, but that wasn't true, not with this little wolf in his room showing teeth. He was looking forward to Jinx having a go at him when he eventually informed her of this little 'talk'.]

I see. So you're an enforcer who is going to nip the bud to future trouble. Smart. Punish any of the crimes before they happen. [It was how all undercity folk were treated on some level, and it was the kind of attitude Silco spent decades of his life reaffirming. It was about instilling enough fear to force respect.]

Good, I'm sure my daughter upheld my fantastic reputation from home. [He was a crime lord doing what he could for his people no matter the method necessary. He'd do it here too. Yet, at the question, his expression hardened.] Do you actually think I will discuss my personal choices with you?

Ah, so you are a good samaritan after all? Only looking forward to fulfill your civic duty as a concerned civilian. [The words are spoken in a mocking sing-song voice, dripping amusement. He really doubts there is anything remotely close to righteous or good within Silco's heart. Same goes for him, too.

Which is perhaps why what the man says next tugs something within him. Akechi can feel in his mind how the thread of progress, of "rehabilitation" of sorts, loosens and begins to come undone. Akira had said that he represented Justice to him, and that it's because of such realization he was able to do all the world changing heroics. How laughable such claim appears to him in moments like these. After all, he was just a--]

Enforcer? Hardly, I'm merely a concerned detective. [-- a dangerous serial killer. An assassin with a (nearly) flawless record.

But he doesn't let that little thorn on his side to show and only presses further when seeing the subtle change in Silco's features. Oh? Could it be that there is some history there? Maybe a failed attempt. If so, no wonder considering how hard headed Vi could be.]

It seems just foolish, that is all. It is good to have a proper back up in case your current project proves out to be defective. [No love for Jinx. The girl is nothing but a yapping dog in his eyes, annoying and reckless.]

Always. The best way to build a community is to stimulate the economy and not be directly involved in a murder. People need to know where to turn for their supplies. [Silco was keen-minded enough that carving out a niche market was his way in while also make certain to have outward appearances of being helpful. Much like Zaun, he was playing the long game.

He made a soft 'hmm' noise as he considered how they were both wrapping themselves in their own lies, knowing exactly what they really were. No one showed up on his doorstep sporting a smile like that who wasn't looking to start something. This was more than a detective trying to press for answers; they weren't even the kind of questions that urged him to answer anyway.]

We both know that's not all you are. If you're going to threaten or hurt me or even kill me, can we drop the pathetic dance and get one with it? I have other matters to attend to.

[While his words were big, he made a mental note to increase his own office security in the future. The assaults on his person reminded him when he was much younger and he was easier to push around. He didn't have the muscle he had before, so it was going to be up to him to let those that sought to harm him choke on their ambitions.]

You clearly weren't hugged as a child, were you? My project is my daughter, and she has more to offer this place than anyone could bother to give her credit for. My time in the sun will set, and my job as her father is to give her every opportunity to blossom to stand on her own when I'm gone.

[A laughter erupts from his chest, bubbling lightly as it comes out while Akechi shakes his head. Again, such politically well balanced answer. Something he could imagine slipping right out of that man's mouth as well. Akechi has spent too much time of his life while playing these games with people like Silco.]

Really? [Akechi huffs out air once the laughter is subdued. He places one elbow on the desk, leaning is cheek on his palm and corking his eyebrow up in interest.] What do you think I am, then?

[Never mind that he also kind of outed himself when advocating for violence when it came to punishing people in Rumpitur. It had been done in a fit of rage and frustration, to quell his anger and troubling feelings after seeing Akira hurt. Oh well. He hadn't said anything too damning, other than being fine with murder. But then again, who here wasn't.

He clicks his tongue, making condescending 'tsk'-sounds when the man tries to make a dig at his childhood.]

A crime overlord and drug kingpin with a heart of gold? Oh my, how touching. That bullshit might work on her, which is good for your own sake, but don't expect me to buy it.

[The laughter was something that he had contended with all of his life, and so this was nothing new. He also had his motivations and his grit questioned at every turn, and that too was fine. He had survived to bring Zaun out of the shadows when no one else had the stiff spine to do so. He knew his own value, and there was nothing Akechi could do or say to dent his own self-assurity.]

I think you're a wolf in sheep's clothing. I think you're pretending at being detective to hide behind a more fitting title than whatever you had previously. Maybe it's more tasteful, or maybe you're keeping under its umbrella for someone else. Someone special?

[Silco was handy with a knife, and he knew his way around firearms, bombs and even his fists if he absolutely had to. He had no reason to make this physical of course, not with the desk between them. This boy reminded him a little of Finn, and that man's throat had been cut like all the others because barking only put a certain target on one's back.]

I quite frankly don't care if you believe me. You have no importance to me except one. ['You're a tool to be used' went unspoken.]

I see. That is almost disappointing.

[Well, to be fair Silco's assessment wasn't wholly wrong. He was more than what he usually let on, a wolf in sheep's clothing as the man had put it. But he was also a detective -- one with a lot of following and fans on top of that. Sure, most of the violent crimes he 'solved' were his own doings but ah, no big deal.

Though, where Silco's dig really lands is when he mentions 'someone special.' Because really, if it weren't for Akira they wouldn't be sitting here having this conversation. No, if he wasn't trying to improve himself Akechi would've already left the office, leaving Silco with a bullet in his head. ]

And there it is, [He clicks with his tongue.], another wolf bearing his teeth. I believe we both can now quit the farce and lay our cards on the table so to speak. What I want to know are your plans for this world.

At least we are both disappointed with how this conversation has gone thus far.

[Silco expected that things still had opportunity to escalate, and he doubted that his desk was going to prove much of a deterrent either. Normally when he was threatened, people simply got on with the whole affiar. He supposed the whole detective schtick was something that needed to be played into, and he could appreciate that if he also didn't have work to be done.

It was a shame that Sevika hadn't come, not that she would have vested interest in his current ventures.]

To build a happy life. Yours?

[Aaand that response is just as vague and non-answer as he expected to get. Akechi knew that it was very much unlikely that Silco was just going to share his future plans just because he asked. Especially not after their conversation, where the hostility had lingered below the surface.

Oh well, at least he can say he tried the nice way.]

Hahah, it seems like our plans are similar in the nature here. [He laughs and nods, seemingly polite and pleasant.

But then, fast as lightning, Akechi lunges forward from his chair. His hand shoots up to quickly grab on Silco's hair to slam the man's face hard on the table -- making sure that it's his 'good' side that comes in contact with the wooden surface. Just to be extra bitch.

Akechi looms over him, grip tight and pressing the man down with the help of his own weight.] And it would only be in your best interest to make sure that your 'happy life' doesn't come in the way of mine. For your own health. And the yapping girl's you call your 'daughter'.

[He would hardly call this conversation full of pleasantries, not with the overt lingering threat of violence. He expected that it was little more than a matter of time, and it seemed that such a time had come. It reminded him of a time a long, long time ago when he had been much younger.

This was not his first encounter with his face slamming into a table top. He hissed in aggravation, and his hand snapped to the knife from home that he always kept close. His fingers closed on the hilt, and he made slow movements to pull it from the sheathe. His attention was on Akechi looming, his mutilated eye focusing.]

Perhaps you should provide details on what this happy future life will entail for you, and I can make certain to have my affairs not overlap with yours. [The knife was free, and he moved it quickly to try to press the tip to Akechi's inner thigh.] Jinx can handle herself just fine, boy.

[Akechi hadn't been able to see the knife when sitting, but now that he's standing over him the keen red eyes follows the man's every movement. He sees the hand reaching for something, which he could only expect to be a weapon of sorts. Because what else could it be? Yet, he doesn't act on it -- allowing the man to play his own gamble.

He keeps pinning Silco down, gloved fingers curling around the short hair and pulling his scalp.]

I need you to stay in your little lane, old man. You can keep playing your little concerned citizen act all you want, keep selling flowers and what not. But don't even think of stepping outside of that role. You will have to be a good boy and leave the power vacuum alone. Or I will burn you and your empire down into ashes.

[The sharp tip of the blade awkwardly pokes Akechi's in the thigh -- to which he only responds with an exaggerated sigh and roll of eyes.] I would advice against that, Mr. Silco. Not unless you are interested in finding out what a psychotic breakdown will do to one's cognition.

Edited 2024-03-02 03:37 (UTC)

[There are so many of memories of Enforcers doing this exact motion with him. There were reasons he stayed to the lower levels of Zaun for much of his life, the places Enforces preferred not to go. He and Vander had suffered these threats, these acts, and this succrine murmurs that only promised a future of pain. He breathed out of his nose, not fighting the hold but not giving up his knife either.

He had learned a long time ago the sort of actions that would earn him a beating. They were not fond memories, but they had lead him to this point. This was just a reminder of why he fought.]

Such a tough little man. You're not different than the rest of us, just better dressed and claiming to have a better influence in your back pocket. You aren't the first to do this to me, and you won't be last, boy.

[Silco might be beaten or even be killed, but he could knick the femoral artery or even take a testicle and at least pay some of this injustice back. This world was no different with the same smug smiles.]

Let me go and I won't have to see how quickly you'll bleed out on my floor.

[The fingers curl tighter, pulling harder on the short hair strands. Then, loosens his grip, allowing the man to move and pull back -- but only to use it as a chance to slam the man's cheek back on the table's surface. He really is pummeling it down that he is A Bitch.]

You know nothing of me.

[He scoffs, taking a step back from the man. To be fair, Silco had hit right on the nail. Akechi was not better than any of them. He was good at playing the games with the others. Making them believe in the pristine illusion with the charming smiles, learned mannerism and knowledge he hammered into his head by staying up all nights, going through any book he could find just so that he could be prepared for any possible question. Such desperate measures, but it had paid off.

Though, once looked past the shiny cover one will see quickly what he truly is. A little piece of shit, a bastard son who's existence was nothing but a scandal. He's someone who was supposed to disappear between the cracks of the system, never to be heard or seen. And he would have. If it wasn't for his ultimate weapon: The Will of Rebellion.

It's time to let Silco see what he's really up against if he decides to cross him.

Akechi brings his left hand over his face, the palm pressing against his forehead as the ruthless red eyes looked down at the man.]

To me, Loki. [He grunts and then, a shadow covers his face like a mask and there is a vivid red aura surrounding him, swirling around his body like flames. Then a big figure manifests behind him. A body of angles covered in dazzle camouflage, inviting all eyes on him. But the more he is looked the more distorted he seems. Horns for eyes, an ugly red grin sewn to shut, silently laughing down at the mortals beneath him as he sits on top of the blade.]

If you'll do even as much as think of going against me. I will crush you. [Akechi growls, sounding animalistic as the words slip past his lips.] I'll destroy you. Tear your limbs off one by one. Carve the skull out of your head.. I'll drive you into the madness you can't begin fathom.

Edited (lmao how could i not notice that typo) 2024-03-12 17:36 (UTC)

Don't I? You share the same traits of many of those I know.

[He cautiously lifted his head from where it had been smashed to his desk, only to have it smashed back where it had been. He made a soft grunt as his cheek met with the flat hard surface for a second time, and his knife remained posed to strike a vital vein or artery. His fingers flexed around the hilt of the knife, unwilling to release it knowing that this situation could very well end with his death.

Jinx would handle things if that would be the case.

His blue eyes stared balefully at Akechi, and that eye narrowed at the change in the air and the scene above him. A tendril of fear slithered through him at the strange figure, having never seen something like that before in his life. What was it exactly? He had no idea, but it seemed like some kind of magic. History had taught him the potential devastation of magic but also that it could free them all too. This entity was dangerous to be certain.

Yet, he knew better than to quake. He didn't master his fear, but he didn't let it control him. He had lived a life of being continually threatened with maiming or death. This was all nothing that unusual even if the ability to summon... whatever that was happened to be different.]

Is that so? Will it be in that order? [He hissed with a sort of amusement.] Because carving out my skull from the flesh surrounding it and driving me to madness perhaps should be in reverse order.

[Well. At least Loki, the entity, isn't fully corporeal -- appearing more like a hologram than flesh. Which, honestly, is good for both of them. They do not need to have the office to be destroyed by manifestation of Akechi's own fucked up soul. But that doesn't make him any less smug. The ugly red grin widens, pulling on the stitches and making the mouth look more like a macabre wound. Providing the mute commentary on the situation to which he's been summoned into.

Seems like Loki found Silco's attitude amusing enough. Unlike Akechi, who's allowing his own Persona's influence of madness seep into his core. His body is growing hot with the adrenaline pumping into his blood, the red eyes shining like madman's as he glares into to Silco's mismatched pair. It'd be so tempting to let go, pull the metaphorical trigger and cleave the man in half.

But wait no-- that's not what he's here for, right? He can't lose focus.]

Shut up, you worthless piece of shit. You have no idea of the hell I'll put you through! [He snaps back at him, feeling immediate frustration at himself for not being able to match the coolness and stability in Silco's demeanor. Holding back an aggravated reaction, he bites his teeth together and lowers his hand back to his side and---

Everything goes back to normal. The demon, the red flames, the heavy air in the room. All just disappear like they were never there to begin with. As for Akechi? Well, yeah. He still has some of that crazy in his eyes when he raises his gaze to meet Silco's again.]

Do we understand each other?

[Silco stared right back, reasonably deducting that if Akechi or the manifestation was here to kill him, they would proceed with it whether he protested or not. He was not a man who begged for his life; he'd stop doing that when he was five years old and the answer was always the same. Besides, as much as he was frightened to the manifestation and its horrifying appearance, his focus shifted more to Akechi.

It wasn't surprising the see the boy for what he really was. It was exactly as Silco had guessed in the first place, and there were so many little cracks in the puffed up egotistical façade of confidence. There was nothing but a sad, rejected little man who used power to curb the itch of insignificance. Add a touch a madness and he was staring at the fruits of such labors.

He released a slow breath from his nose as he mastered himself, and he was sliding back into his element as Akechi clearly was losing control. He would take it back, thank you very much.]

Oh, don't I? Unfortunate for you that I have a vivid imagination for suffering. [And as the world seemed to move to rightness again, he shrugged his shoulders and dug the knife tip to Akechi's thigh pointedly.] Oh yes, we understand each other, boy. Now let me up and get out of my office before you make more of a fool of yourself.

[He removed the knife then as his own version of 'good faith', expecting that this little confrontation was well and done.]

A word of advice: when you threaten someone, leave your baggage at the door.

[Silco is right about him. Normally Akechi is so much better at keeping the cracks from showing. Hell, he had entire nation eating from his hand for several years. But right now he has hard time keeping it in check. The presence of Loki is pressing more on his mind, his laughter loud and bringing the madness within him abut. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come here and resolved into barking and showing teeth. ]

Unfortunate, but to who? Hah, I can only imagine of all atrocities a man like you is capable of once I'm through tearing down your mind. A one-way ticket to the madness and despair. [He hisses his final threat, a sound of a thrill creeping up to his voice underneath the vitriol. Yeah, such scenarios might excite him a bit.

Sure, his powers can't go to same lengths in this world, so he wouldn't be able to cause proper mental breakdown. But with Loki he ought to still be able drag people into the madness... Or so he thinks.

But fair enough. This meeting might not have gone as planned but his point is heard -- whether Silco took it to his heart or not. He does take a step back and reaches to straighten his own jacket. His expression calms down and he forces a mocking smile on his lips.]

Hah. I do wonder what you're hiding in your own baggage. [After all, just like Silco had recognized the madman in Akechi, he could, too, sense the baggage of the past in the man.] But yes, it is getting late. I'll let you get back to your work, Mr. Silco. I hope you have a pleasant evening.

( he will soon receive screenshots of conversations between her and jerry so far through his tablet. )

I have been following much of such conversations. It isn't unexpected that they would intend to make you suffer as a punishment. We will have to speed up our timeline to destroy the Council.

yea. if im not dead by then.

You won't be. I won't let that happen.

[He would sell his soul to the Council before he let that happen.]

come on, silco. even u know theres no controlling this.

There are always options. We make no progress by losing faith in our own abilities.

maybe im too worn out to see it. as far as i know? this equation only has one solution, and one way to solve it.

Edited 2024-02-10 17:56 (UTC)

And that is?

oh u know, turn a new leaf and become a cutesy nice sweet lil girl who is all about rainbows, ribbons, saying "please and thank you" in every sentence, and have proper manners and etiquette until i blow my brains out!

I would put the gun to you myself if that were ever to happen in any seriousness.

( you know... that made her laugh. it shouldn't because what a horrible thing to say, but jinx enjoys dark humor way more than an average person. and besides, she needed a laugh. )

ha ha ha!! i won't hold any grudge if u do! besides, ive learned we dont stay dead here recently. so if u kill me, its fine! ill just come back tomorrow, all fine and dandy.

Yes, that is information that I too learned. If I ever lose sight of our goals, do smother me in a pillow or knife a kidney until I die.

roger that, boss!! ive always wanted to suffocate someone.

I've been told it's the way that old people should leave this plane of existance.

is that how U want to die?

I've already died. I can't see how suffocation would be any more peaceful then bleeding out. I imagine suffocation is similar to drowning actually.

well i know THAT. but that couldnt be the way u wanted to go, right? besides just dying in ur sleep. thats what most people hope for.

Death was always a constant threat, so I imagined there were all manner of ways for me to be eliminated. I will admit that I never considered my 'favourite' way to die.

if i can choose how i want to die, i want my weapons to kill me. i was the one who made them, so they have the right to take me out.

Edited 2024-02-10 18:58 (UTC)

Which one? You have so many to choose from, or would this be an 'all or nothing' sort of situation?

gee, i dont know!! all of my kids are special and unique. i guess whoever thinks they should make the call. but its like this too. lets say im down and out and someone decides to grab my trusty pistol from me (will never happen, this is pretend!). they aim it at me and they shoot me dead. see, i take THAT as my pistol taking me out. not whoever is on the other end. because its still my thing that got me. and id be ok with that.

So with that logic, it wasn't you who killed me but Pow-pow.

[See what he did there?]

( .... )

wait. ure right. it WAS pow-pow that did it. well! good thing ive already punished her a million times after that. dropping her and scraping her against the floors and stuff.

[And that's how one dealt with accidental homicide guilt.]

Good, so that is one less thing to stand between us. That punishment does seem adequate.

the weight has been lifted!!!

[Now for his next trick...]

By that same logic, the monkey bomb killed your family, or the stones themselves which were created by the Talis boy.

[Making it so that she had to take no responsibility for her actions wouldn't back-fire right?]

but then how come mylo and claggor are so mad at me if its my monkey bomb who did it?

How did Mylo and Claggor know it was you? You weren't in the room with them when the bomb exploded.

i dont know. they keep blaming me!

Then we need to convince them otherwise.

i dont know how...

Edited 2024-02-10 23:59 (UTC)

I know. Our previous attempts have failed, but perhaps here we can find a way.

u'd think if the council cared about rehabilitation, they'd do something about my... "freak outs". i dont like admitting i get them, but this is just between u and me so its ok.

No doubt they are of the opinion of personal responsibility and accountability rather than actually providing services that will rehabilitate. Not that it matters: you are perfect as you are. Do they bother you so much? They seem to have increased in frequency since the gemstone came into our lives.

[He wanted to say the sister, but he knew better. He also knew the sister was a spark to cause fire, not the incendiary.]

( 'you are perfect as you are', gods it's been so long since she heard that. and with everything that's going on in her life right now, it's something she needs to hear. )

i guess its just. pressure. maybe? back home was preettttty bonkers, ha ha!

We were on the precipace of freeing our people; there was a considerable pressure to produce those results after so long.

[It was also a frantic situation with many elements all competing for attention at the same time.]

There are less pressures here for similar results, yet, I see you struggling.

( oh, so he noticed. but that's not too much of a surprised. jinx knew this conversation would come about eventually. )

well. some things been... hard.

Would you like to discuss these things?

the council, for one. theyre not like OUR council back home. i know hextech was created with magic and science, and one member was an immortal and i think another was a golem or whatever. but none of them were mages or gods or had some kind of power where they could just turn us on and off whenever they feel like it. not even janna did that. or at least in the stories ive been told to as a kid. i dont HATE magic, but... that gives me the creepy crawlies. i dont like knowing someone can just null my shimmer ability or mess with my head. and i dont know when itll happen or when itll stop. ive never been... —( she pauses, really hating the next word she's about to write.) — controlled before or needing to follow orders by someone else who isnt u. and i dont like how it feels. i feel caged. a lot. and i dont think my voices like it too much either.

[He read her reply three times before he settled on a reply to her. This was something that required a certain amount of care after all, and her fears were justified given the unknowns that they faced in this new place. She also no longer experienced the same protections as she had in Zaun; Vander then himself were both protective of her regardless of the harshness of their city.

For Silco, this Council was not so different from the old one. It loomed large and overreaching, a thumb on his existence that he spent a lifetime rebelling against and would continue to do so until the day that he ceased to be.]

They are not so different from our Council; the illusion of caring for its citizens remains, and those of the undercity remains the scourge of their dispassionate eye. And yes, a sentient golem species and a yordle along with five humans. We don't know what the current one is staffed with yet. The best course of action may be to leave Aldrip altogether. The Council's reach seems to be hampered by living in another city, or at least that is my suspicion with Kirimann and your sister having to come to Rumpitur to collect me for sentencing. It wasn't Kirimann's choice. I will not have you controlled for long if I can help it. We are of the free city of glass and metal, the nation of Zaun. We do as we must for survival and enhancing our lives anyway we can. It may come to war.

But what your businesses? u worked so hard both in aldrip and in rumpitur. do u really want to leave?

I can establish new ones should it become necessary.

silco, dont abandon everything because of me. u've done that once already. i cant ask u to do it again. ill suck it up. whatever the council is doing to me, ill stop complaining about it.

You aren't asking, and this isn't Zaun so the choice is a non-factor. You are always free to express yourself with me. And I am free to do what I can to protect you.

ure always protecting me.

( also not a complaint, just stating the caring notion. )

Whenever I have the means to.

have i told u, u are the best dad in the world lately?

Often enough, yes.

[But he'll never refuse an opportunity to hear it again.]

so i guess we're moving.

You're willing to leave your sister behind?

i... dont know yet. im still on the fence with vi. i love her, always will. at least i like to think i always will. but shes obsessed with caitlyn and i told her if she wants to make it right with me, to apologize to u for punching u. but... she refuses. no surpise there. so sometimes i feel... she doesnt need me at all. but then the last time i saw her, she was a real mess. wasted out of her freaking mind and she... needed me then. if u were wondering why i didnt come home one night. i had to spend the night with her, i couldnt just leave her alone. so. i dont know. ill have to chat with her about it. maybe she wants to move too.

Edited 2024-02-12 00:54 (UTC)

[Things would always be unnecessarily messy because of the sister, and he was still coming to terms with that. At least they avoided each other as much as possible, which satisfied him otherwise he would have her assassinated.

Of course, he still would eventually, but he wanted to get himself and Jinx established first.]

I'm aware of where she was and her state. She won't leave the enforcer behind and Kirimann has a business started in Aldrip. I'll continue as normal for now until you are able to leave the city and begin seeking real estate in other cities then.

and who knows when thatll be. could be months or years. 'however long it needs to be'. uuuuugh. 😒🙄 ive asked some people what hobbies theyre into. maybe i can do whatever they do to pass the time.

Their punishments have, so far, been short-lived. Keep the explosions to a minimum and I expect they will release you. Perhaps you could construct me something similar to those mechanical insects that you had on the bridge.

oohhhh whats that im reading? u want my lil love bugs?

They were more effective than they had a right to be, but I know better than to underestimate your skills.

what if i make explosive worms? hide them in the dirt.

Which dirt?

thats the secret. u wont know! so better watch ur step.

I can't say I'm interested in losing a limb. We don't have the benefit of Zaun chem-tech here.

dont worrrry, i wont let u lose an arm or a leg.

A foot or a hand then.

ure so silly. anyway! enough talk about that or ill start blowing chunks. but thanks for cheering me up.

Edited 2024-02-12 03:40 (UTC)

As you wish. I will see you tonight then.

definitely. i want a silco and jinx night 🙂

As you wish then.

take a walk down memory lane with me.

[there's a picture of a certain pair of gauntlets that're sent to Silco's tablet.

that's all she says... for once in her life.]

[He was more surprised she dared to come to his inbox to leave a message more than the content initially. He, of course, had to look at the picture.]

Vander wore them better.

[she's extremely inebriated and without her babysitter (Cait) so she's making all sorts of bad decisions atm.]

yeah, well. he's dead or not here like some people who should be dead.

i'll grow into them. don't worry. i've already grown into them more.

[Silco had to make a conscious decision of how much he was going to screw with her. After all, he had been here months and she'd never come into his circle unless it was physically or publicly. What was her purpose here? A threat obviously.]

Indeed. I was assured on many occasions you were dead, but it seems that the state didn't take. You'll never fill Vander's gauntlets. You're a pale imitation of a greater Zaunite. You're only good to be in his shadow.

[it's half a threat and half not........ mostly she wanted to see if he'd lose his cool over the item too.

apparently not. but maybe in that slimy brain of his, he feels Something.]

i'm like a roach that way.

blah, blah, blah. tell me something i don't know. i'll always be in his fucking shadow.

[He did not like seeing the gauntlets, no. They had a far more weighted history for him. After all, he remembered the day Vander came up with the idea.]

Perhaps we have that in common. You will. As it should be, but go on and parade around with his gauntlets.

unfortunately.

who else is going to use them? you? you couldn't even lift them.

Would you give them to me if I said I wanted to try?

hell no. you're even less qualified than me to wear them.

True. Physical violence was never my strength. Is there an actual reason you're taking time out of my evening, or is this your awkward apology?

what you really think i'll apologize to you? no way in hell.

if i have to look at them you do too.

Hardly, but you'll get yours soon enough. That will be apology enough for me. I was there when he made them and put them on the first time. He promised revolution on them.

back in my day sort of shit... is that the train we're going down now? did he ever beat the shit out of you with them? cuz he should've.

No. When he tried to murder me, he made it personal. Bare hands only.

i mean you are a toothpick so it probably wouldn't be that hard for him with his bare hands, yeah.

True. It is the same with your sister. Slim necks are easy to get fingers around. Though according to her, you prefer slapping.

[she's grinding her teeth from where she is... and then she takes another drink of her drink, not realizing the bartender has switched her to water.]

don't try to get me riled up. you know how much i've been thinking about that night right now? fuck off.

Edited (when ya use the same icon twice in a row) 2024-02-21 23:04 (UTC)

I don't have to try; my existence is enough to blow your hair up the back of your neck. Oh do tell the long winding hours of pondering your sister's abandonment. I've heard her side after all.

oh yeah, i know you have. you've taken it and twisted it to your needs while i was sitting rotting in jail. i know. you don't have to monologue to me about it.

I have her a home and a family when you walked away. There was nothing twisted about it, but let's drink to families trying to murder one another.

you know what, i'm not even going to waste breath reminding you what happened to me after i walked away and that i would've come back. it's like talking to a fucking wall.

but sure. i'll drink to that.

But you didn't.

yeah because your dog kidnapped me. do you even know what it's like to watch your family die right in front of your eyes? not once, but twice? and you lash out at the person who matters most to you?

i was fucking scared. i was a kid. i ran because i needed a goddamn breath and then i was coming back to her. don't you think i fucking kicked myself enough while i was in jail? i know i should've never left her.

all you wanna do is twist it all into your favor. whatever in your warped little brain helps you and Jinx sleep better at night.

[she said she wasn't going to waste her breath, but Silco always makes her feel some sort of way.]

Oh no, how could I ever know what such loss looks like?

[It wasn't as if she would believe him even if he did regale her with the stories, of the mines, of listening to those last breaths in the dark and fumbling around to find them in the utter silence that followed their passing.

They were all children when the first deaths happened. That was the way of the Undercity. One grows up fast, learns harsh lessons or dies to them.]

Keep telling yourself that, girl. Your opinion of me doesn't matter, just as I expect my opinion of you holds no bearing on how you operate.

basically.

at least we can fucking agree to that.

Practically friends.

Tell me how many times you have experienced sentencing.

[guess who just got sentenced a day ago!]

Once. Am I correct to assume that you were taken for sentencing and now have a silly task to complete to show you're going to be a better prisoner to this place?

As if you expected anything less.

[he has a pretty good idea about you, silco. call it a hunch.]

What are the consequences for not seeing this through?

Your arrival precluded to you to sentencing. Depends on the sentence. From what I understand, it will be uncomfortable for a time or you will have impulses you may not be able to control. What is it you have to do as your 'rehabilitation'?

I must "help" others. As many as I can, as vague as it is.

What sort of impulses?

Not a specific help, is it? If so, you can help me. For mine, the longer I went without fulfilling my sentencing, the more I was unable to control my temper and be annoyed which could have potentially burned bridges to the relationships I was establishing.

Help you how?

I'd rather not wait and see what sort of effect has been set aside for me.

I own several businesses, so I could use your help at one of them. You'd be 'helping' the community, so to speak. No, I expect you value strength, and I suspect the Council would do what they can to make you suffer and bring you low.

How very kind of you to offer. I expect you will want something in return?

I have no intention of allowing them that chance. There is too much at stake here to risk something so foolhardy.

Information. You and your twin are interesting. A single piece of information relating to both of you. I'll leave you to decide what it is. Good. Many of us are seeking to put an end to the Council's reign.

Hm.

It isn't something we share, but I am able to thrive without needing to eat, sleep, or drink. If there is any payment involved with working at your business, you can simply give it to Vash.

More than just yourself and your daughter?

[Interesting and worthwhile information.]

That frees up plenty of time for you in the day. I will add your wages to his; he runs the occasional delivery for me already. Of course. There are plenty that don't appreciate the oversight. My daughter is generally most vocal about it.

If you have any further questions, direct them to me. Between the two of us, I hold more knowledge about our kind than he does.

[which is, admittedly, still very little. the good doctor and himself were only in the beginning stages of knives' grand plans, after all.

and maybe he'd rather keep vash away from whatever plans this man may be concocting.]

Sounds like she must be quite popular with this council if she is that vocal.

Neither of you are human then. Would you kill for your brother?

[Family was important to him, so he felt it worthwhile to understand other family dynamics. Zaun had a lot of broken, mended and stitched together families.]

She sees more of their effects than most thus far. Jinx is incendiary.

That's correct. There are more of our kind, our family, enslaved by the humans of our universe. I aim to free them and establish a world of our own, free from humanity's parasitic influence.

I have killed for him, and I would do so again without hesitation. There is nothing more important to me than Vash.

[ride or die!]

Ah. Her.

And is there opportunity for you to achieve that goal in this place? You're far more honest about such matters than most about such matters. Don't let this place try to wedge that dedication between you two. Yes, she's an acquired taste. She will do her best to antagonize people, yourself included. She is my daughter, and I hold the same sentiment as you do for your brother.

[He will and has murdered for her.]

That remains to be seen. Until I can find a way to open a connection between them and myself, there is little I can do that would benefit them right now.

Even if Vash ends up resenting me for my choices, I am resolute in following through. Whatever it takes.

I see we understand each other, then.

Time will tell if this place puts dampers on your future plans. One must also consider that we currently have no means to choose to go back to our original places. Will he not respond in kind if you were in danger?

[Dangerous people making deals it seems.]

We do. I hope we can consider our dedicated people to be off limits from overt harm then.

I have considered it, yes. Every possible scenario must be taken into account.

No. He would not.

[knives remembers looking down into the barrel of that gun, the look in his brother's eyes before they were parted. of course, he could be wrong, maybe vash would protect him in turn... but knives won't risk betting on it.

but answering 'no' might dissuade silco from potentially using vash in the future. his brother having nothing to offer means he is safer for it.]

So long as Vash is unharmed, then we are in agreement.

A planner and strategist. That will come in handy in our attempts to shake off the Council. A shame. He comes across as a protector to me.

[That said a lot about the relationship that the brother's had. Silco also wasn't above putting that claim to the test, though he would have to think of the best way.]

As long as Jinx is not harmed, we are in agreement. However, I have no issue with you verbally tangling with her.

So long as our goals align, I will offer you my assistance.

Only towards humans. It is a sickness of the mind.

[a poisonous seed planted by that woman...]

She seems to enjoy causing strife with strangers.

It's good to know we can count on you regarding this matter. You are his kin; why would he not protect you? Is it because you don't require protection?

[Curious, curious!]

Yes, seeking out weaknesses and bothers in others is one of her many skills. Once you get to know her, she softens up some.

( it's morning to a new month. it seems the two of them survived another cold black-out night, and there is natural light coming through the windows. jinx failed once again to convince silco to nuzzle with her in the pulled out couch, so instead, she slept in hammock up above in his office.

and by the looks of things, it appears she made it through the night with no nightmares, too. and this time, she rested the average amount a person should get and not broken apart in minutes. it's ten o'clock now and jinx is still snoozing up above, cocooned in several blankets with hardly a rustle. generally, she'd be up by this time to drop by his flower shop to tend to the plants, but it seems slumber is harder to fight off this go round. but on the brighter side of things, the peace and quiet will extend longer than usual. ... until she wakes up. )

Edited 2024-03-05 15:07 (UTC)

[This black-out was inconvenient to say the least. It was hard to maintain businesses without electricity, and once daylight was gone, it was even worse. It reminded him how much he missed the simplicity of chem-tech lights and other augmented technology from their world. He wasn't actually bothered by the darkness itself as he had grown up in the dark and learned to read in those small pockets of dimness. He navigated just fine.

The cold of night on the other hand was far more of a problem. He was thankful for the more heavy duty jackets that he and Jinx had acquired in their stay here as they were coming in handy. He disliked having to wear them inside just to make sleep bearable, and despite Jinx's suggestions of cuddling to conserve body heat, he had been resistant to the idea. That wasn't unusual.

He shifted his head from where it rested on his chair and shivered as he stretched from where he had slept, looking up at the ceiling where Jinx's hammock was amid the rafters. He spent some time just watching her up there, letting his thoughts drift to the day and week ahead, his plans and everything else. It was as close to his 'quiet' time as he ever allowed himself anyway.

Still, he couldn't stay here long as there were things to do. His daughter slept and that was odd but not bad at all.]

( the room remains extremely still as he spends his little moments to watch her from where he is. and by the looks of things, maybe this morning will be a decent one and calming like yesterday and the day before.

... until she grunts. the noise she makes isn't a sound of someone waking up, but something disturbing her. like a person is prodding another or there's a lot of noise going on. but given how silent everything is, it's definitely not the latter. and jinx stirs slowly, again grunting but with a small hint of discomfort this time. is she having a nightmare after all? is she thinking about violence in her sleep? )

Edited 2024-03-10 23:15 (UTC)

[He steepled his finger tips together as he considered getting up and marking the day with activity. It would obviously be dark again, so a plan was necessary to insert himself in on the situation to proactively put himself and Jinx in a better position. They had to move quickly to capitalize on this new opportunity.

Yet, his thoughts ground to a halt at the sound of a grunt and his mismatched eyes lifted to peer through the dark at where his daughter was sleeping. He waited, listening for signs that she was having bad dreams again. It was rare for her to sleep long hours even if it was good for her. A second grunt and he pushed the blanket off of his legs so he could rise from his chair even if his eyes remained fixed on the rafters.]

( it's very sudden when she jolts up, she gasps and yelps at the abruptness of electricity twisting at the middle of her back. jinx blinks rapidly, trying to get her sight intact, yet everything is in such a blur and double vision mess. but she recognizes all of this, it resembles the very first time the council "turned off" her shimmer abilities and then unexpectedly "switched them back on". although, it doesn't make the experience any less scary. as a matter of fact, when she calls out to her father -- her voice wavers in a panic: )

S-Silco?!

( when she hunches over the hammock, the pinks of her eyes are flickering and vivid. jinx stretches out her arm to blindly search for father... who is somewhere. he is still in the room, right? she can't tell with her hazy eyesight, and it's steadily causing her to feel queasy with all the binocular vision on top of the shockwave pain. the veins in her arms are beaming through her pale skin -- a purple glow that's similar to when deckard consumed the serum many, many months ago. but at least there is no transformation in this. she just needs to let the shimmer course through her body again, and that will take minutes. maybe even longer if she doesn't react with her natural instincts to fight it off. )

Edited 2024-03-11 04:30 (UTC)

[Alarm initially had him stiffening where he stood when she came awake, and from his position, it was difficult to determine what had upset her. However, the remaining darkness held over from the night allowed the illumination of purple in her eyes stand out brightly. Yet, it was moments like these where he cursed how far up off the ground she slept.]

Jinx.

[He called up to her, making certain to keep his voice calm as he stood staring up at her. It was clear that the Council had returned the effects of Shimmer to her and it was taking hold. As he had been told on many occasions, the electric-like burst of it as the high set in could be terrifying for some. He'd been told it was similar to feeling one's body come alive one cell at a time rapidly.]

Just breathe. Everything will settle in just a few moments.

( her breathing calms slightly and her heart beats slower in light relief. she still can't see him clearly, but he is in the room, and that alone... gives her a peace of mind. jinx pulls back from her dangling (before she falls out of her hammock) and puts in the effort to unruffle herself. his daughter hugs her knees close and waits restlessly, feeling every little bit of the shimmer flowing through her shoulder blades, to her back, and to her chest.

she bites hard on her lip in order to shush herself from groaning too loudly over the process, but that doesn't stop her fingers from grazing over her skin intuitively. jinx had only experienced her shimmer returning to her this way only once, and while it's a painful procedure, it's an itchy one too. it's vastly different from inhaling the fumes through a mask (which she prefers), and she wishes she had some say on what method to partake in the serum. but as if the council would ever listen to her suggestions or reasoning of things. jerry wouldn't even lend her an ear to explain what exactly happened during the ketsora incident. not that he would believe her or take her side, she knew, but it's the principle of the matter. she might be dangerous, a menace, and sometimes icy, but she's human too. well. a chemically alternated human.

it doesn't take long for her fingertips to be coated wet of her own blood from all the fierce scratching, her arms and now her legs leave trails of where her nails have been. but on the brighter side, the shimmer is seeping in nicely, because the freshly scars aren't painful nor does she notice their sting as she sits up in the rafters. and while silco can't see how his daughter is faring so far, he can tell the difference by listening to her whimpers. it's not as audible compared to the start, but it's becoming more subdued at each given second. )

Edited 2024-03-12 15:35 (UTC)

[It wasn't supposed to be like this; there was always some Shimmer in the body that gradually subsided and provided that little itch. The itch drove the user to seek more and the cycle would continue. Slow and gradual absence was necessary to allow the body to adjust, and it was never an easy proceed, but having Shimmer returned at a quick and high dose was equally as dangerous. He wasn't so removed from the effects of Shimmer to not learn intimately what it did and how it worked.

He knew. For the first time in several months, he experienced a wave of helplessness to watch Jinx suffer. There was no need to see to understand the sounds that came from above. He could close his eye and imagine what she was doing.]

Jinx, I need you to concentrate on my voice. It will be over soon as your body is flooded with Shimmer again. Once it does, I need you to come down from your perch. I can't come up there to be with you, but I am here.

[If he absolutely needed to, he could scramble up to her. It would be ungraceful, but he remained committed to being a fissure-folk and those skills did not atrophy completely. He shifted to walk around under where her hammock was, letting her hear the gentleness of his footfalls.]

( this isn't forever, she tells herself. this is just temporary, just like the other time. and silco is very knowledgeable when it comes to shimmer, so he would know... and she should believe him, right? he wouldn't lie to her about something as serious as this. so jinx swallows down the lump in her throat and focuses on his voice and his footsteps. )

Do... Do you know any short stories?

( it might be an odd time to ask for a story that could lead into a lesson of some kind, but it could be enough to distract her from her prickly and burning skin. )

Edited 2024-03-14 05:43 (UTC)

[He watched Jinx and continued to move around so that his footfalls remained a constant beat on the floor below. This was not his first situation dealing with those experiencing Shimmer to this level; after all, he was present for all the variations to determine how best to utilize it.

Did he know short stories? Of course he did, but most of those weren't grounded in a kind of reality that he liked to live in. They were wild and pathetic now that he was the age that he was.]

Of course. [He thought for a moment before deciding on one.] Some time ago, there was a boy who grew up in darkness where his only thoughts were of the Kindred and when they would come. One day, the boy was exploring the noxious mines of Zaun because that was his home and everyone explores their home. The boy found himself lost the deeper he went and the air grew thick and difficult to breathe like some fogs. In the dark with only touch and sound, he struggled to find his way in the stagnant air. The boy thought in that darkness, may Kindred embrace me.

[He paused in his walking, folding his hands behind his back. It was a tale many Fissurefolk endured from his time. The mines were unforgiving and surely no place to raise a family, but for generations, that's exactly how it was to live... and die.]

The boy continued to struggle and prayed for a clean breath of air as he faltered choking on his own weakness. Then there was a faint soft breeze, stirring the air, bringing a single fresh breath. The breeze rose from a tinkle across the skin to a push of wind that lead the way. The boy followed that push and danced through the dark poisonous tunnel with the wind that showed him the way. Up, up, up he went and it wasn't Kindred that found him in the dark but Janna who pointed the way towards a better life.

[Silco turned his mismatched gaze up to the rafters again, fingers twitching behind his back as he considered the tale. A lesson.]

Janna cautioned him that all hope comes with a cost. That is what it is to be of the Fissures, of the nation of Zaun. Freedom and imprisonment intersecting. With a churn of the wind, she left the boy safe with a lungful of fresh air, the breath of a renewed life.

[He then hummed and began to walk again.]

...or so the old Fissure tale goes.

(jinx shuts her eyes as he tells the story, focusing on the details of how the boy in the legend may look like. she imagines zaun and the mines, and can picture them both perfectly, as if she was there just yesterday. the city of iron and glass had its downside... a lot of downsides. but she can't help but to feel nostalgic for her former home. and although their people were rough and rugged, some of them did care for one another -- whether they were related by blood or not. the tale itself she had heard a few times in her youth, and each time the narrator put their own little spin on how it went. but jinx never really questioned just which part of it were true, because as erratic as she is, she enjoys stories.

the shimmer within her bloodstream settles, and jinx carefully unravels herself. her vision, while still a bit hazy, is returning, and she is able to move around with the discomfort being mild. as promised, jinx leaps down from her perch and lands rather clumsily on his desk -- some of his papers spilling or crumbling underneath her weight. the teenager blinks rapidly while trying to center her eyesight, seeing a somewhat blurry version of her father just a few feet away. )

[By the time his story had come to an end, he had a feeling that she was in a better place. Shimmer was effective that way, which was good in this case especially. He wanted her to be safe and secure again, and he was certain of giving into her request had been the necessary distraction.

Once she came down from the rafters to his desk, he moved closer to her to be certain that she wasn't going to pitch off of the furniture. He ignored the papers and instead set his hands on either side of her legs and put himself right into her radar in hopes that her vision would clear.]

Are you alright, Jinx?

( blinking slowly now and able to see silco more transparently given the short distance, she nods soundlessly to his ask. but all the while, her body is telling a different story entirely. physically, her forearms and limbs are glowing with freshly bloodstained scratch marks, with the case of the bouncy legs too.

she feels as if she can just leap to her feet and do laps around their home about fifty times, and her body is screaming for her to stop resting and burn off all of this adrenaline that's festering. however the contrast is her expression, she looks a little emotionally drained from the intense ache she had to endure. and to think there's still so much day left to go through. steadily, she leans forward and a little side way -- letting her head rest against his arm as her foot rub against her other ankle to soothe yet another itch. )

[The nod was all the confirmation that he needed as he looked down to examine the self-sustained injuries. He had to tip his head around her own as he reached out to lightly grasp her wrists so that he could look at the blood on her finger nails and her forearms, earning a small sigh from his nose. He felt mostly assured that her energy was contained and he didn't yet have to concern himself with her running off for the moment.

He reached down and pulled open one of his desk drawers, pulling out some cotton material and a small canteen of water which he wet the cotton with. Then he grasped one wrist to extend her arm and began to wash the blood from her wounds with a gentleness he only showed to her.]

I'm going to bandage these to give you something else to pick at. These will heal quickly once the Shimmer fully takes hold, but until then, they are a distraction.

( while she is experiencing no stings or pain from the tender tapping, the itch continued to tingle and taunt her with each motion of his care. and jinx frowns over it, wishing she could just yank her arm away very quickly to soothe the urge one last time. all in all, however, her sight is becoming in focus and her chest lowers in relief.

with how long it took this time, she had a scary predication her vision would delay for another hour or two. but thankfully, this wasn't the case. so jinx remain to sit obediently as she witnesses her father work with such delicate and kindness. )

This doesn't hurt.

( if it wasn't obvious enough with the fact she isn't jerking away with every brush of the silk. but she figured she should make it clear verbally too. )

Good, but we will cover it anyway.

[He wasn't interested in argument on the matter. He knew that rags and bandages and whatnot could be used as a distraction to the picking, scratching or twitching of fingers with the effects of Shimmer in certain forms. It was a short-lived tactic, but that didn't mean it wouldn't be relevant here. Anything to make her feel better as far as he was concerned.

He continued to wash her self-inflected wounds gently, as if they did hurt her. That completed, he began to wrap her forearms with strips of cloth. He left them slightly messy on purpose that would entice picking here and there if she decided to have another go at her arms.]

The effects should be short-lived, maybe an hour at most.

( as he dresses her wounds, her eyes dart up to his face -- observing the scars she had seen over a million times. she tries to imagine how he would look without them, wondering if his skin used to be obnoxiously soft or if he ever worried about skin care before the toxins became a part of his life. but as he told her many times, if he was nitpicking or had smooth skin -- that man has long deceased. silco is a brand-new man now, a male with a strong and powerful aura who can make people feel unnerving within their bones.

jinx hopes her own voice will gain that much strength some day, she likes to believe it expanded somewhat ... but with the council on the throne, her voice feels nothing but a squeak. her gaze slants to his hands and the bandages, patiently waiting for him to finish, with her feet rocking back and forth like a child would. )

... I've been thinkin' about getting another couch in here.

( she idly mentions, now looking off at a space in his office where the furniture should be able to fit nicely in. )

So sometimes I can sleep down here than up there.

[Silco was used to being observed, and he had long ago lost the urge to feel self-conscious about anyone looking at his scars. Normally, he would be wearing some foundation and concealer, but it seemed worthless to ask for it as a gift of the gods. He wasn't ashamed even if he grew tired of certain types of staring. He expected that Jinx was doing it because his focus was elsewhere, and he had nothing to hide from her.

His fingers worked at the wrapping of her forearms, and he nodded his head to the sudden change of subject. He turned his head to observe the room and estimated the space that could be allotted for a couch.]

Are you planning on inviting guests over where we will need another spot to sit?

[He didn't particularly care one way or another. Furniture made a room, but it also set a scene and provided a power dynamic when one was needed.]

You don't like to sleep down low, though.

( her face burns at the question, and she continues to keep her eyes at the vacant spot than on her father. truthfully, it was something she had been rattling her brain over lately. jinx is highly convinced both her and quentin are done for good, which now leaves her completely available. and even with her very conflicted feelings about her newly relationship status, the nights for her have gotten lonelier and colder by the day.

she misses having another human body lying next to her during the night, and although quentin wasn't exactly the cuddle type (except after sex), just being near someone was enough for her. it helped with her nightmares. and while they never vanished entirely, but it did diminish to every once in a while than every night. ... except now, they're on a rampage again. his daughter wants that intimacy again, but who will she get it from? she tried with silco and that led into a dead end. and vi is too busy with romancing the stupid enforcer to even notice her sister these days.

so the possible solution she came up with is to pay someone to spend their time with her. it won't be exactly like how madam babette ran her brothel, but... maybe something similar? exclude the sexual stuff and just have someone to keep her company in bed until the next morning. but would that make her look pathetic?

....

ugh. if only she can go back to feeling emotionless. )

Y-Yeeah... I... I don't.

( she answers finally, stammering over her words as she tiptoes over his previous question. maybe her father won't notice it was left without a reply. )

But you'll be nearby, so... it's no sweat.

Edited 2024-03-26 04:35 (UTC)

[He sighed from his nose at her stammering, and he shook his head as he sat back to observe her. He liked to think that he knew her well enough to understand what her issues were, but this world had definitely injected a certain discord that he didn't enjoy having to navigate. Jinx had always been close with him, and he preferred it that way.

However, this place was not the Undercity, and people didn't know or understand either of their history. They were all a bit odd, so thus people seemed to far more welcoming to many of Jinx's normal antics. She had friends her own age, not people who gave ground to her because they all worked for him. She had connected with (argh) boys, and that was trouble.

Still, she had always been an affectionate person with those who had earned her trust. It was how she wormed into his heart, of course. He had limitations to his own physical affection, but she also was the only person to regularly shove him out of his comfort zone. He disliked seeing her in pain, especially if it was something he could help her with.

The fact that that sister was here was a constant threat in the back of his mind. It forced him to reassess how he operated sometimes.]

If you aren't planning on an open invitation for friends, we can forego the couch. The other one is big enough for the both of us if we move the back cushions off.

[He began to put away the medical supplies.]

More blankets may be necessary though.

( her ears perk at the suggestion, and her head swirling around to him with her eyes almost bulging out of her skull. is he... implying what she thinks he's implying? jinx can't recall any time that silco rested on a couch, let alone lying down for anything. she understood why, of course -- the undercity wasn't necessarily the safest place in runeterra, and a powerful man like him needed to be on his toes and always be one step ahead. but is he really willing to lower his defenses for her? for a night or two so she would feel secure? jinx opens her mouth to speak, but then shuts it again. her entire body still and rooted to his desk as he collects the medical items without a hitch. )

...

Edited 2024-04-02 05:05 (UTC)

( but whenever he shifts to move away, her trance breaks and her hand dives off on its own to clutch onto his wrist. the heat over her cheeks brightens just a touch over the sudden reaction, because not even she knows why her hand did what it did. it just... felt like the right thing to do for whatever reason.

but jinx swallows down the brief embarrassment and steadily guides his hand to rest on her right cheek. still keeping her silence, she holds her gaze to him -- eyes large and doe-like as ever, then shutting them close. jinx takes the moment to feel the familiarity of his palm, and the temperature against her slight chilled skin. he really does love her, even though he never says it with words. )

... Okay.

[Sleeping seated but upright had become a routine for almost two decades, the ability to wake and rise quickly should the situation call for it. It was the most comfortable way to sleep after Vander had tried to kill him in the river with the pain and pressure of his face sinking by gravity. He had once believe he could save the eye by changing the method of sleep, but that had been youthful naivete. Now he slept that way because it was safest.

Also not having an actual bedroom with a bed in it tended to throw a lot of people off when it came to looking for easy ways to kill him. Bodyguards or no, the undercity was not one to suffer fools long. That was that.

He rose, stopping when he felt Jinx's hand grasping his wrist. He turned back to regard her, raising his eyebrow at the look on her face. She should know that there were many situations that he would give up his own comforts for her, and if she didn't know that willingness yet, he clearly had to explain it better in future. He didn't resist when she pressed his palm to her cheek, and he even went so far as to use his thumb to stroke the soft cooler skin under it.]

You're going to be alright, child. I will never forsake you. We're in this mess together.

( she wets her chapped lips quickly and shifts her gaze away from him again. her demeanor becomes passive as her hands reach for a braid to swing over her shoulder. )

I know, I know.

( she mumbles with her fingers toying and picking through her messy bedhead locks. jinx says nothing for a few seconds, learning now that there's no point in denying her struggles and what's been eating at her. especially when silco had been by her side all the way... even if some of his advice or suggestions are things she doesn't agree on. like letting him handle quentin, or she should ditch her sister for good. those thoughts had passed her mind and she entertained them every now and again, but... her heart would interfere each time and she'd pull back. )

It's just... — I don't know how to deal with things that I can't... shoot away or blow up. Not when they can just come back.

Edited 2024-04-02 17:10 (UTC)

[With his hand released, he made an active effort to keep it there against her cheek for a good half minute before withdrawing so that he could put away the medical supplies back in the drawer. That technically freed up his hands, and he did return to take a seat in front of her again.

He waited patiently for her to come out with whatever was bothering her; she usually needed time and a gentle prodding now and again. The way that she was moving indicated to him that she would speak without him having to prompt her for her reasons.

He made a noise of understanding in his throat. Since she had been young and discovered how to make chem-tech work with her bombs, she had gain confidence and began a path of inventions of various levels of destruction. She had seemed so pleased with herself, even if parts of it haunted her from the past. He had encouraged her building and her destructive nature as it seemed those times when she was happy.]

Perhaps we haven't found the right place to put your explosives. Consider this an experimentation to having the most effect, though you will have to endure the paltry punishments by the Council. I can't protect you as I could in the Undercity at the moment.

( she scoffs at the mention of the council, fingers still fiddling with her messy braid. it's so bizarre how her opinion of them changed over the months. when she arrived, she thought they were nothing but snobby honchos with their pinkies shoved up their noses. but now? now they've become more than some rulers behind a chair. they have power she had never witnessed in a day of her life, it angers and frightens her all the same. )

I dunno if I can deal with another punishment like that.

( jinx hates to confess to that, but her latest penalty was painful. it was difficult for her to function every minute of the day, and again, she can't just blow the place up to smithereens. who knows what kind of devious thing they have up their sleeves. for all they know, her next sentence might be a death one. )

[He nodded his head in understanding; he had watched her suffer and endure the lately punishment. He expected that each one would only get worse, even with the idea that Ragna had completed the kind of mission he had hoped someone in these parts would. For now, his concern would always remain Jinx, and it was his job to cultivate an environment where she could be herself.

He put the medical supplies away and then he returned to stand in front of her again. He returned his hands to cupping her cheeks lightly in order to try to focus her on him.]

Then don't. Build them as you like, and I will do what is necessary for us.

( to feel his gentle touch against her cheek never cease to soothe the aggravation bubbling within. and his daughter blows out a sigh through her nostrils as she fastens her eyes again. jinx can sit like this for hours, maybe even sleep this way, if it were possible. these subtle affections feed into her desperation of needing to be loved and to belong to someone. and although she has her father, her sister, and a handful of friends, somehow that itch continues to prickle all over her skin -- screaming for more people to scratch it away. it's infuriating, but at least right now it's being contained by him, her favorite man in the whole world. )

Mmmhmm...

( whether her humming is a cue that she understood and agreed with his words or she's expressing how she is enjoying this intimacy is pretty debatable, but either way, the teen nuzzles her cheek against his palm like a kitten. jinx forgets about the fidgeting with her messy locks and frees her grip little by little, her hands soon to rest on her lap. )

What do you want for breakfast?

( her voice relaxed and in slight murmurs, like she's back in her drowsy nature from when she woke up. )

Edited 2024-04-14 00:30 (UTC)

[That was good enough, and her shift in tone indicated that there was a high chance that the Shimmer in her bloodstream had stabilized. Good, that reduced the risk of more self-harm, and even more importantly, she could hopefully return to her normal energetic and chaotic self. It at least comforted him that the worst of the Council's punishment would be over for her, even if he remained committed to the idea that he would take any action on her behalf to spare the Council being able to act against her in such a way again.]

Probably just toast. What will you have?

( she reopens her eyes, but only to make a scrunch up face in slight disapproval. silco never tend to eat much and while she is aware of that, it's still not necessarily healthy. in his age, it's important to have a good balance meal at least sometime during his days, and she feels without her around, he might have wasted away the week of being here in aldrip. )

Sausage, toast, and eggs. The same thing you're getting.

( and she puts a lot of emphasis on the "you're" to make it perfectly clear he is getting more than just a snack. )

[He frowned at the idea that his choice of breakfast was not satisfactory. He wasn't even hungry, so this seemed the best method of approach. Her current description of a meal seemed rather over the top in his point of view. After all, he ate dinner. That meal was relatively guaranteed.]

That seems excessive. Toast has suited me fine since coming here.

[That was his claim, and he was sticking with it.]

It's not excessive, it's normal.

[ she doesn't seem all too convinced by his claim, and she shimmies herself off his office desk finally to stretch out her fatigued legs. ]

Toast isn't going to keep the storm brewing in your brain for too long, you know. There's a reason why it's an important part of the day. — And don't say you'll make up for it during lunch or dinner, 'cause I've seen what you eat during those meals, too.

[ with that, she skips off to pass him to head for the door. but before leaving the room completely, jinx calls out to him: ]

So you're getting a balanced breakfast, no whining!!

It's done the job so far.

[That was all he would counter with regarding toast. It wasn't that he even ate a whole slice of it anyway, but one piece could last him two breakfasts, sometimes more. He also knew that she wasn't going to take his answer as a win for this situation.

He wasn't going to waste time or his words continuing with this either. She would do as she pleased in that regard.

He collected papers from his desk and followed her down the stairs, getting set for the day.]

hey pops. its me.

( since charms are hard to distinguish
who is who. )

Edited 2024-03-17 19:15 (UTC)

You are the only one that would call me 'pops'.

am i? knives might be considering it. have a son in the works.

Edited 2024-03-17 19:23 (UTC)

Are you encouraging another adoption to our family? A brother may be less messy than another sister.

what? NO!!! i dont want him to be anything!! i already have a brother. my... little brother left but i still have my bigger one.

Suit yourself. I see. They can't be of Zaun, so you're expanding your family beyond those borders.

[He knows everyone from Zaun who is here.]

ragna deserves to be part of the family for what he's done so far. oh, did u hear what happened?

Edited 2024-03-17 20:05 (UTC)

He's acceptable, but he doesn't care much for me or anyone else except you. Hear and saw. He made quite the spectacle.

oh.... u noticed that too, huh?

I expect anyone with one working sense and two brain cells has noticed.

our partnership is kinda secret secret. not everyone knows.

Is it? Secret for whose benefit? Did you put him up to the destruction of the city hall?

its for my attackers! itll be a surprise present if they fight me. raggie will swoop down and we'll tag team! nope, he did that all by his lonesome.

Edited 2024-03-17 20:36 (UTC)

Then your attackers will be ultimately destroyed. Good. After all this time, I am curious what changed to urge him to react in such a way.

i... know why. and this has to be strictly between us when i tell u ok?

Have I not carried your secrets to my grave before?

yes but this secret is REALLY huge.

Then keep it if you don't feel you can trust me with it yet.

No! I want to tell u because... im a part of it. so u have to know.

Go on.

he... did it for me. i didnt go blabbing to everyone what happened to the other place. i told u, vi, scott, and ragna. and only u 4 knew about my punishment. raggie was REALLY fuming hot about it. ive never seen him that mad before. he said he was going to make them pay for what they did to me and i didnt think he was serious...

Edited 2024-03-17 21:12 (UTC)

How sweet of him. He's more worthy of you than the other one.

quentin helped me in a different way. he wasnt completely useless.

( a sudden reflex of sticking up for him, oops. but the argument jogs her memory. )

but that's why this is a BIG secret. and so far, people are still in the dark about the other explosion. i havent seen my name anywhere and no one has come to me yet. scott thinks i should confess but what good that'll do besides aldrag, rumpies, and kee-kees coming after me?

Edited 2024-03-17 21:24 (UTC)

So you say.

[Silco knew he hated a lot of people. His base reaction to most was to hate them here in this place. They weren't Zaunites to which he was fiercely loyal to. Quentin was a special level of dislike which he made certain not to verbalize.]

Plausible deniability is necessary when it comes to the Chosen. I would caution you on who you divulge such information to. Besides, the brute has now put himself in line for the cause of it the other explosion.

( while this is all text, her pouting is spilling through her sentences. )

ok look, i get it already. quentin is an asshole, a jerk, and acts like hes mr.know-it-all when he doesnt know squat! but there is a good side to him. ive seen it. hes just.... being a dumb guy. ... who ditches girls and pretends its not a big deal dumbass guy. and im not going to spread the info around. ragna wont tell, vi is vi, and scott is all about being super nice and not wanting to put anyone in danger.

Do read what your wrote out loud like you're talking about your sister's choice in partner and ask yourself if you'd encourage her to stay with someone like that. So the last one is a potential fall-guy in the making.

im not WITH him, silco. we havent spoken since our fight. im saying there is a lil good in him, its not all bad. and caitlyn is a horrible example and u know it.

Good. Do you want me to put him in the ground? She is more loyal than yours was, and she appears to have more integrity on some subjects.

no. and im going to pretend u didnt write that.

Pretend all you like. The offer stands.

no one is going to do anything or laying a finger on him. he is mine to deal with.

Edited 2024-03-17 23:59 (UTC)

I will do whatever is required to protect you.

u can do that with the other trash bugs around here but not him. or vi or ragna or scott or ange or yu. maybe even scott's girlfriend i guess. i can handle them.

Your list is becoming rather long, Jinx. And we both know you won't touch your sister. I don't have the same scruples on eliminating threats to us.

[It was more a lack of manpower, which was potentially where Knives came in.]

so what? like urs isnt??? vash, knives, levi, and whoever that guy is thats working in the flower shop. who else u got, huh?

All expendable compared to you.

( shit. what does she say to that? her frustration is now melting off her. and the player's thumbs are too big.)

.... ok. no matter what?

Edited 2024-03-18 00:40 (UTC)

Nothing will change my mind.

and if anyone forces u away from me and hurts u, theyre going to wish i would kill them quick and stuff them in a bag in one piece.

Edited 2024-03-18 00:58 (UTC)

That wouldn't happen. There is no one anywhere that would try to take me from you.

there are someones. the council will try and akch-freak.

Imprisonment is hardly more than a temporary separation.

i dont care. u'll still be away from me.

Edited 2024-03-18 01:39 (UTC)

I will never forsake you no matter where I am.

( there's a minute or so delay before she answers, taking a moment for his words to sink into her heart. )

have u eaten yet?

I've been told whiskey counts.

sheesh, ure a mess without me, hahaha!

Is that so? I had to lift a glass towards the smoking ruins of the city hall, that's all.

and when ur liver shrivels up, ure going to start crying!

My lungs will definitely be the first organ to fail me.

yeah but until then, u need to eat, mister!!!!

Considering we may all be in shackles within the hour, perhaps we should celebrate the fall of city hall.

u know ive been chatting it up with raggie during all of this, and jerry hadn't come for him yet. and i dont think thats fair. how come when i do something around here, i get immediately tossed in the big house?

Edited 2024-03-18 04:20 (UTC)

Who is to say Jerry wasn't inside the building when it was destroyed? Perhaps the Council has something worse in store for him.

well the council isnt crashing there, thats for sure. no human remains is the thing going around.

Simply a hole that is difficult to look into I have heard.

THATS because its the realm of heebie jeebies!! the main part.

If it remains, it will require investigation.

Should I drop the crystal in the hole?

That would likely be a waste of a limited resource.

but arent u just a lil bit curious? the thing that takes u to a realm mixed with the MAIN realm? can u imagine what kind of blast itll make? itll be something we've never seen before. and i got to see it.

I preferred measured assurances or experimentation. But it could be entertaining if the world all around us implodes. Perhaps you'll be returned home.

why return home when we can go to another world?

Is that what you think is on the other side of that area? I haven't heard anyone being stupid enough to jump in.

yessssssssssssssssss. that is what i think.

Who are you planning on pushing in?

cant i just toss myself?

I'd prefer not. See if a sucker is obliterated first.

fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine, if u want to bring down the fun to 60%.

Caution is prudent. I am willing to minus 40% fun from any situation with my very presence.

ill be careful just this one time, but next time i wont. safety is for babies. deal???

You've never held a baby, have you? They are a distinct lack of safety.

when would i ever hold a baby?

( ... then her thoughts drift off to something. )

Edited 2024-03-24 15:43 (UTC)

actually scrap the whole thing. lets not talk about babies.

Let's hope never. They are soft and strange. Yes, let us discuss other matters entirely.

i forgot what we were talking about beforehand. but im at my treehouse! everything is still intact but its soooooooooo cold out here. i think ill have no problem keeping fish frozen. ill just stick it out on the porch, ha ha ha!

You have enough warm clothes?

yea. im not spending the night here. unless i want to be an ice block. only when the sun is out.

A state I too would prefer you avoided.

if i become an ice block, its no big deal. my amazingness will melt it all away.

That's not how ice works.

[He was still trying not to smile.]

as far as u know.

Do we need to ask someone to confirm that I am right?

ew, no.

Debate over then.

just because ure older AND my dad doesnt mean u get to decide when something is over.

Doesn't it? Would you prefer I pulled the "I own large swaths of the Undercity" and thus am your boss, card?

i am making a tiny red angry face at u right now. these stupid piece of junk charms cant do any of the fun stuff.

Describing it doesn't increase the potential impact.

im hiding and drinking all the wine when u fall asleep tonight.

Fine, just don't drunk vomit on my chair.

oh im drunk vomiting alright! and totally on the chair. now what?

Edited 2024-03-24 21:35 (UTC)

I'll burn the chair. Wine vomit doesn't come out of leather.

how do u know? WAIT. did the ogre puke on ur chair? ppppllleasse tell me she did!!!

No, but she did bleed on my floor and couch on more than on occasion.

thats amazing to hear!

Of course you would say that.

duuuhh!! shes a rat. of course ill say that.

She is loyal to the cause, and that's enough.

yea. shes a loyal punching bag.

She earns and takes her lumps like everyone else.

whatever. im going to cook fish and bring it home. do u have enough candles?

Of course. I over-prepare on the daily.

ok great! itll get dark soon. dont want to have dinner in the dark. im sleeping in the rafters too tonight.

It isn't the worst way to have a meal. Rafters in my office?

thats where ure sleeping right?

Most likely, yes.

then thats where ill be. i dont want to be alone.

Neither do I. The office it is.

are the traps still secured? knives still sharp?

Dull knives are only used to torment anyone that uses them.

then u'll be ok. when all this blows over, im going to use some of our coins to do a lil shopping.

Shopping for what exactly?

nothing fancy. just buying some gifts for someone.

Someone you like or hate?

guess guess guess!! 3 chances.

1 The brute 2 The enforcer 3 The idiot

[He's leaving the third one purposefully vague as it could be so many people she knows.]

all wrong.

We can't win them all. Who?

the soon to be dead guy who disrespected u, silly!

That list has more than a handful of names on it.

wait who are the other guys???????? why havent u told me about them?!

Edited 2024-03-25 01:53 (UTC)

The usual types of disrespect. Only two have physically assaulted me.

its one who hurt u. he needs a lesson about manners.

He does yes. My mocking of his lame threats only went skin deep, I assume.

right! so im getting him a gift. i have to be a lil creative since he can come back from the dead. super lame. i want to kill him soooooooooo bad!

He has the ability to some kind of entity, so any gift you make should be quick acting. Otherwise, he may gain some kind of protectiveness from the illusion or being he brought to my office.

so itll be 2 against 1, eh? at least that makes it a lil more challenging.

Potentially. He was using the summon or illusion as a means of threatening me, so we did not directly interact. End him quickly, and it likely will be a moot point.

so i got to be creative. no big whoop. im GREAT with coming up with things.

Yes, let your creativity flow. Otherwise, we can take out everyone he cares about, which is far less creative.

super less creative. chomper: AND AND ANDDD!!! more troouuublleee! that too.

Sometimes it's about effectiveness and not creativity.

and sometimes its about exploding off heads! thats what we're talking about, right? exploding head guts.

Gun shots at point blank range is always effective about exploding heads.

yea. my doohickeys been so cranky lately. i really oughta take them out sometime....

I'm certain you can terrorize a few people with them, yes.

yeaaaaaaa. then ill have to deal with the narc too.

Which one?

our favorite metal head in the whole world! jerry.

I'd hardly consider him a narc. He's this world's version of an enforcer.

and a BORING one too. hes not even fun to play around with at all.

For now. We simply need to find what he wants and be able to provide it to him. Everyone has their price.

maybe he wants an assistant.

There's only one other person with such enthusiasm for justice.

uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh. the golden scientist guy that isnt here?

No, an older man that glows blue and calls himself a hero.

... u lost me. who in the heck turns blue here and why havent i seen it?!

During the corrupted squid attack, I was saved by a man who glowed blue, and he spoke very highly of his sense of justice. He might just be the closest to my age.

freaky. oh!!! what if we suck out his glowy and use it as light source? beats using the stone all the time.

I still have a sack full of those glowing stones from the caves. Also, he might be difficult to wrestle given how strong he appeared to be.

UUUUGH!! these magic users are SUCH cheaters! using their sparkles for everything. i only use my shimmer stuff when i got to, u know? why use it with every step i take? stupid. but these losers use their stuff with every day crap. i dont hate magic. just. be fair about it.

Edited 2024-04-07 15:30 (UTC)

He seemed to indicate it was some ability he was born with when I inquired. I have no special or unique talents, so I wouldn't worry about those with magic or otherwise.

are u kidding me? u definitely have unique talents.

Making grown men cry is not particularly unique.

its fun to make them cry and beg. but u dont cry, so thats not ur talent, u silly billy!

Edited 2024-04-08 01:08 (UTC)

No, I do not. Not since I was a boy.

ur power is u can control things just by standing perfectly still.

Is that so?

durr!!! people piss themselves because ure so powerful.

I wish that were true. One has to fight for respect.

it is true. ive seen it. and ure also the best dad ever. thats the other talent.

I appreciate the compliments. Someday you'll find a shirt for me with that written on it.

[He might even wear it around the house. Maybe.]

if i make it, will u wear it??????

Perhaps around the house.

[What has he just gotten himself into? Trouble, that's what. He's going to regret this, he knows it.]

yeah!!!! shirt and pizza for dinner!!!

You have a shirt like that hidden in your room, don't you?

secret, secret, i wont tell.

Hmmm, I am experiencing regret about this already.

dont be so dramatic. pizza is good for u.

Edited 2024-04-08 02:03 (UTC)

It's a rolled out baked sandwich.

its not a sandwich, silco!!!!!! how many times do i have to tell u that?!?!?!

Edited 2024-04-08 02:29 (UTC)

It has all the ingredients of a sandwich.

but does it look like a sandwich? no.

An open faced sandwich, yes.

im going to nail u to ur chair and feed u ur least favorite food. whatever that is.

As I haven't experienced every food there is, I wouldn't know what I dislike the most.

nobody really likes vegetables.

Herbivores do. And many top-siders.

[Well balanced diet, what's that?]

yea and look where all that munching on vegetables got them. theyre all dead. by me. so the moral? vegetables can kill u.

Edited 2024-04-08 15:15 (UTC)

You're calling yourself a vegetable?

a deadly vegetable.

If celery was going to kill I suppose

do celery go with fish?

I have no doubt of that.

ok!! im halfway done with dinner. cooking fish the old fashion way takes longer.

Edited 2024-04-10 14:16 (UTC)

It is worth. I will be home in a few minutes.

cool! im at the treehouse still but ill head over when its all done.

I will see you soon then.

𝙅𝙞𝙣𝙭 𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜.....

[Interesting. Silco turned on video call and sat back in his office chair.]

Jinx.

( the first thing he'll notice in this video call is she is outside. jinx is nowhere in the residential district nor the commercial district or the city center. where she is looks far too futuristic for that, a lot of neon lights and faint bustling of music if he strains his ears.

the atmosphere is similar to the Lanes, but not identical all at once -- but maybe that's why jinx got charmed to be here. it's not the undercity, but it has the potential glow of their forever-ago home. his daughter is leaning against a building, or it seems to be as she holds the new cellphone in bird's eye view. )

There you are, I found you!

( that sentence alone is enough to pinpoint she is intoxicated (her slurred speech is a deadly getaway). the blueberry haired girl beams stupidly to him -- teeth and all. )

I've called... a lot of people to get to you. Now I gotcha, I win...!

[Ah. Jinx had been drunk dialing people again, had she? Well, at least she had found herself in the kind of place that they would enjoy being in, and he expected that was the reason that she was calling. He was already pushing himself up and out of his chair to walk around the house collecting his items and pulling on his coat.

He apparently needed to go collect his drunk daughter as well, so he would do that while he knew where her current location was. He was not in a position where a threat of his methods and position was enough to keep the Lanes in line when it came to Jinx. So he needed a far more personal intervention as far as he was concerned.]

I see you have found some of the new locations available to us. It seems like the atmosphere is more to something to our liking?

YES! This world is sooooooooooo much better now...! Look it.

( she flips the phone around in a bungling manner to show off the district. the locals walking down the sidewalks in their nightclub party clothing, wagons traveling up and down the streets, and flashing signs from establishments. jinx then turns the device back on herself while humming, nuzzling more against the brick structure. )

It's Zaun, but... kinda not. And if this new, then I gotta be new, too. I need you to help me dump this Jinx, so I can be a newer Jinx. Y'know like last time? There's a beach somewhere... I forget where.

It is more to our liking, isn't it? I think we could make good investments here, and this could be a more fitting base of operation.

[The loud music and the bright lights that he was aware of from her camera did make it seem a touch like home. Was this a gift or a curse of the destroyed Council? He assumed like everything else, things would be remade and they would have to deal with the fall out of it.

As much as he liked the flower shop, this was more to where he was used to operating. Of course, Jinx enjoying herself was not something he would ever fault, but he was concerned that she would take things too far too soon before he could establish a safe space where she could be her authentic self and not be penalized for it. He would have to move quickly now.]

And how do you propose being a newer Jinx? Are you talking the embrace of water again?

( growing weary of holding her phone to her face, her arm falls dead weight, with the camera now just displaying a close-up of a brick. but despite the view, audio is still getting through crystal clear. )

Mmm, if the water isn't freezing cold. ... But maybe the ice can, I dunno, keep her in a block forever.

( silco isn't able to see it, but she waves her free arm around all willy-nilly as she emphasizes: )

And ever and ever and ever. Sink alll the way to the bottom. Ka-slooooshh!

[Now those were just normal bricks, but he could hear her voice loud and clear so didn't bother himself with the picture he now viewed. He had a feeling that he had some idea of where she was if he needed to locate her.]

We shouldn't make rash decisions on locking away who you are, who you were always meant to be. We can't lock ourselves away from the pain.

[He was pushing open the door and heading out into the streets. It seemed best to find her.]

Let's go for a drink, you and I?

( she frowns over his wisdom, and the urge to snap back is boiling in her chest. because why couldn't they lock themselves from it? it's in the way of everything, and feelings means weakness. at least in her perspective, anyway. jinx can't feel physical pain thanks to the shimmer's components, and it's such a remarkable ability to have. so emotions should sync along with that, but it looks like the doctor didn't get that far with the serum. but the mentions of drinks subsided her irrigation, and she is all grins again. )

Yes, drinks!!

( there's some shuffling on her side of the call, and the video feed regains focus. it's now on ground level and being propped against something (the brick building, most likely). jinx seems to be sitting on the concrete sidewalk with the device, her leg and a braid in somewhat view. but the phone's main target is an establishment across the street -- a bright sign that reads, "liquid lush" -- probably the bar she spent several hours in. )

Screwdriver, here I come...!

[He can't see her reaction to his normal sense of advice, and he didn't care that she might be angry with him. He was leaving the house and lighting a cigar as he walked to where he expected to be her location; knowing her, once she knew he was in the area, she would come and find him anyway. He nodded his head at the agreement to drinks; he did not usually drink alcohol with his daughter in a recreational way. Of course, normally he was working.

He kept his phone raised so he could continue to look at the walk, noting when the scenery changed as her position did. He noted the bar name, and he wondered how much the place could be bought for. Nah, he would simply start his own, a little piece of home for them both.]

You always did fancy those bright and flashy drinks. You're not drinking on an empty stomach are you?

[Pot, here comes kettle.]

Who needs food when you can survive without it for a week?

( she extends out her leg and sways her foot from side to side in a child-like manner. )

Anyway, the place wouldn't offer me any. They said I had "enough" and I'm being a "disturbance". HA, can you believe that?

( yes, anyone can if they're not her. )

How do you cause a disturbance in a night club where everyone's dancing and drinking? That's what you're supposed to do!

Edited 2024-04-07 22:56 (UTC)

Let us avoid a starvation scenario, shall we? You have been eating more frequently that I've seen since coming here at least.

[Family meals and all that at least ensured that she more frequently came to have a sit down. It was something he was still getting used to, and he had no doubt she was as well. Perhaps they were changing for the better. Well, in a few areas...]

They simply don't understand the Zaun way of enjoying oneself at a party establishment. Property damage comes with the territory.

[It was not true. He did not tolerate property damage in his establishments either, but he expected she more needed someone to keep an eye on her and focus her attention. Hopefully any explosions would be kept to the minimal.]

That's 'cause Shimmer makes me hungry. But maybe I can snag a bite or two. Y'know... for the road.

( he can't see it, but jinx was on her way to put in her own two cents about property damage -- until the sounds of laughter disrupts her thoughts. it seems far, however, it's approaching closer to her by each passing second. two guys and two girls judging by the voices, and they seem to be discussing on what they should do for tomorrow's meet-up.

something about seeing a movie (whatever that is), and one boy is teasing the girl who's dangling all over his arm as the other couple chuckle at the joke. jinx fall eerily silent as they approach -- her foot halting abruptly in its carefree sway. and they're getting so close now that even silco can pick up the group's conversation. )

"— Nooo, please. Not that movie! You know I don't like creepy stuff." "Okay okay, then what do you suggest?"

( and finally in camera view, their legs stroll across, but they walk around jinx's extended leg to avoid any embarrassing stumbles. they seem so into each other and their joyful conversation that it's like jinx was completely invisible to them. )

"Why not an action flick? Can't go wrong with that."

( as they move on, so do their voices until they blend with the murmurs of the bustling street. jinx keeps her stillness before she gradually draws her leg in -- no longer in sight of the camera. )

Edited 2024-04-08 03:50 (UTC)

[Silco was making good enough time in his mind, though the whole new sections of town were something he needed further exploration of to know inside and out like he had Aldrip and Rumpitur. He expected their seemingly random conversation topics to continue until he could collect her and occupy some of her evening so she wouldn't feel alone.

He was still looking at the camera image as he walked, so he was able to deduce the voices quickly. Simple, stupid conversation between people completely comfortable with one another. More to his interest was Jinx's reaction to them, and he expected drunkenness was not going to help her cope through the potential mood she had just been set in.]

Jinx, I will be there soon. Can you give me more details of your location?

( his voice flowing through the phone speakers shake her out of her lonesome thinking. that's right, silco is going to be with her tonight, and it's not going to be like the night before. last night, it was similar to this, but she hadn't called anyone to keep her company. she drowned and searched for happiness at the bottom of several bottles, but came out with nothing.

and she watched and listened to the locals mingle with each other with soaring hearts and smiles. it angered jinx and jealousy fueled inside her veins, because why was she alone last night? how come some fake nobodies can experience joy and not her? what did she do to deserve heartache, the feeling of betrayal, and loneliness? however, whenever she asks herself these questions, the voices never fail to chime in with the same reply that's been clutching to her shoulders for years. 'because you're a jinx.')

Uhm... ( her voice small, but she clears her throat to bring back its level. ) — There's another bar nearby... It's called "Dodo's". You can see the pool tables through the windows.

[Silco was moving briskly in her direction and he began to see more people moving around and the lighting increased and the sound of people enjoying themselves openly could be heard. He moved down alleys for short cuts, passing by some that had already had too much to drink and were in need of a quiet place to reflect on their location.]

Ah, I know where you are. I won't be much longer. Do you want to play pool tonight, or would you prefer to dance?

[As a rule, he didn't dance nor tried to make a fool of himself with body motions. He would be open to pool, which was a game of skill and could bring about the kind of onlookers that he could use. This was better than the old Aldrip, and he planned on thriving here as he once had in the Lanes. He would, however, never forget where they came from and what the end goal was.]

( just the thought of silco dancing brings a smirk on her face. like he would ever prance around with the type of music the nightclubs are currently blaring through their oversized speakers. unless it's some sort of fancy waltz she has heard politicians use as a tactic to get some one-on-one with their victims. but a game of pool sounds fun, and it'll be a lesser risk of embarrassment if she loses since it'll be her first time. )

Yeah, yeah, we can play pool. ... Will you teach me?

[He was paying attention as he walked to the kinds of entertainment that this place had already, devising how best to carve out a niche for himself and his daughter. This was a place they could potentially slip away in far better than the old Aldrip. He frankly didn't care the reason for the change yet so long as he could make the most of it. Death meant his priorities were far more forward thinking.]

The rules aren't difficult, so yes, I can teach you. It's been awhile, so I will be rusty.

So what I'm hearing is, I'm going to kick your butt.

( she giggles, her mood now beaming on the lighter side than gloom. jinx wonders if all parents have this sort of power -- to bring out a smile on their child's faces, no matter what the circumstances they're under. she would like to hope she did the same for him, but the man hardly smiles at anything unless it's over a devious victory.

although, her mind trickles back to several weeks ago when he planted a brief kiss on her cheek. the memory, still so vivid and glistening within her thoughts, quickly dominates all others, and the itch to rush towards the group of locals just to show them that she isn't alone and pathetic. because they don't have parents, not like hers. silco is one of a kind, and they should be the one who should feel envious over her life. not the other way around. )

You're going to try. We'll measure your success by how many objects you throw at a nearby wall or tables you overturn.

[With her mood lifting, he experienced less of a pressing need to find her immediately. However, he was getting closer to her location, so he had no reason to drop his pace. One never knew when her mood might change again, and it had always been easier to maintain her coming out of such moods if he was present. A constant source of calm, he liked to think of it. The voices didn't seem so loud when he was around anyway.

He was still holding up his phone of course, letting her see his progress if she wanted to keep track of him. He rounded a corner and spied her further down the street, partially blocked by a group of walking teenagers. It was only with her in sight that his pace eased to more casual.]

Tables are designed to be flipped.

( in her wild state of mind, of course. sure, they are meant for the boring task of setting items upon and to be a surface for beverages and meals, but tossing them over is a far better use for the furniture. if not, more entertaining. every so often, jinx peeps down at her phone that's still propped against the wall beside her. his surroundings are becoming more familiar, and that signals her to get up on her feet.

but his daughter underestimated just how wobbly her legs are, and she stumbles for a brief moment. when she thinks she has gotten the hang of her mobility, she pockets her phone and heads to the direction her father is coming from. ... while hugging buildings to keep her balance, naturally. )

Edited 2024-04-14 01:24 (UTC)

Many are a convenient size and shape for flipping, but their original design is to remain upright.

[There were certain activities where he was competitive for, and he knew he enjoyed being right. He had the drive and the instinct to get his way eventually, and he had the patience to see it through. In other activities, he was far more relaxed and when it came to games with his daughter, he cared little which of them won or lost.

He walked down the street, passing the group of teens chatting with each other about what to do tonight, but his main focus was on Jinx as she wobbled on her feet. Well, he expected he would be winning at pool tonight if this was the case. He ended the call and slipped his phone into his jacket pocket as he approached.]

Need an arm to hold on to, hmm? [He offered his elbow when he was in range of her.]

( jinx beams at the sight of her father, and she would protest if the ground didn't feel as if it's going to fall from beneath her. so she pushes herself off the wall, quickly linking her arms around his elbow like she's leaping from one ledge to another. regardless, she giggles dully while pressing her cheek against his forearm. )

Dodo's we go...!

( she attempts to guide them both for that establishment, but her feet staggers yet again, and leading them to the wrong direction. )

Edited 2024-04-15 13:58 (UTC)

[As soon as he felt her arm looping with his own, he tightened his arm against his body to keep her arm locked with his. This way he could stabilize her as he followed her lead for the first staggering steps that she took, and then he simply picked up his pace to take control over their movements.]

You haven't been drinking on an empty stomach, have you?

No one would give me anything.

[ oddly, her complaint holds a loving tune as she nuzzles her cheek more to his upper arm. and jinx forgets almost instantly that she was the one who was supposed to lead them both to the pool bar. but luckily for the two of them, the business isn't too far from where they stood. ]

'M not hungry anyway...

[ the only thing she hungers for is to seep more into that dull feeling of intoxication that alcohol can provide for her mind and emotions. the hurt of quentin fades along with it, her loneliness dries, and her voices become nothing more but soft murmurs that she can't understand. if she just keeps this up day in and day out, she'll never have to experience that pain again. or think about it. ]

No? Well, we shall see what they do if I request something.

[Silco was not a man that was easily denied when he wanted something, especially on behalf of his daughter. This was their night out now, so he would take care of her as he knew she would take care of him. That's the way that things were, and that's the way he wanted it to be.]

Very well, we will have some fun with the games tables and see where that gets us.

[He took them across the street towards the establishment in question with its gaudy little sign and the loud music being heard even before they had arrived on that side of the street. Once they were at the door, he pushed it open with a hand and allowed her to retake the lead if she wanted to be seen as the one dragging her old man inside for some fun.]

[ the music is indeed loud, but surprisingly the song of choice isn't chaotic like the nightclubs. it's more on the mellow side -- classical jazz, to be exact. and the locals (the demographic seemed to be for the older crowd, maybe mid-twenties and up) paid no mind of the duo as they focus on their games, their conversations, or their drinkings.

his daughter instantly lets go of her father's arm once they are fully inside, then skips her way to the bar to sit on the stool. the unexpected appearance of jinx startles the poor bartender, and she eyes him exceedingly close while teething over her lower lip. ]

Hi.

[ she greets him with a slight messy grin with a provocative tone to match. her arms fold steadily on the table-top, leaning in like she's some sort of predator and pondering over whether to play with her food now or just... go straight for the kill. ]

"Uh, hi. What can I get for you tonight?"

[ the teen hums smoothly over the question, pretending to really think this over. ]

I dunno. Something... good. Something that'll make me feel... really good.

[ her eyes dances around him, from the tip of his head to as low as the bar table is allowing her to see. then her grin widens more, and it's coated with so much mischief that anyone could cut it with a knife. ]

You got something like that behind there?

[ needless to say, the bartender is looking pretty perplex by this exchange, and given people come here to drink... he makes the assumption jinx means a beverage. ]

Well, uhm, we have a wide selection that you can choose from to help you unwind.

— Mmhm, uh-huh. And tell me, what gets you unwind?

[ it's like she completely forgot she is here with her father.... ]

[He made absolutely no effort to keep her arm, expecting that she could and would keep to her feet with the press of people and music all around her. This was the environment she lived in, and while he kept his office relatively quiet, the boom of a base was never too far away from the floor boards. He was in no hurry to cross the floor, allowing her ample opportunity to cause some trouble.

However, he did follow all the same, picking out an open games table for them to eventually make their way to. His hands were tucked into his jacket pockets as he approached leisurely, and the confused discomfort of the bartender was plainly obvious. She was rather drunk already, so of course she'd be going for terrorizing someone. That was so normal he didn't even blink at it.

Still, he came up behind her as she rested against the bar, his expression that of a patient parent with their drunken naughty child.]

I'll have a whiskey to unwind, and my daughter will have a bellini in the biggest fishbowl of a glass that you have. It will, at least, keep her hands occupied for ten minutes.

[Two could troll after all.]

[ the anxious barkeep exchange glances between the duo, unsure what to make of them until silco clarified their relationship. for family, they look nothing alike, but the man dare not to question their likeness. and what did he mean by keeping her hands occupied? what... would happen if they were free? well, it's not in his job description to ask, and hopefully not to worry over. so the man clears her throat with a nod and scurries off more to the left to mix their drinks.

jinx resumes her corny smile and then peers over her shoulder to her father. it's a good thing he is here to order for the both of them, because if she was handed a menu, she wouldn't be able to make heads or tails of the printing. the teenager lifts an arm high above her hand, then stupidly slams her palm to the empty stool cushion next to her. ]

Sit [ slap! ] With [ slap! ] Me...!

Edited 2024-04-28 00:16 (UTC)

[He cast a side-eyed look at Jinx for her smile as the barkeep went off to arrange for their drinks. He was going to need to get some food into her soon enough, knowing that he had the capacity to carry her home if he needed to but wouldn't have the adrenaline like last time. Besides, he doubted she even knew he had done that, unwilling to leave such an important task to anyone else. He surrounded himself with massive bodyguards so he didn't have to carry things, but his daughter... that would always be a responsibility that he would take seriously.

He regarded her with the same parental patience of someone who had endured these kinds of antics for many years and had come to accept them as part and parcel of his child. He eased himself onto the stool once she had finished slapping it and reached over the counter to grab one of the menus that he saw peeking up a corner.]

What would you like to eat? They have squid. [

[ she gets overly giddy when silco takes the seat next to her, enough that she's doing a little dance over him accepting her invitation. when he has the menu in hand, jinx cranks her neck to take peep despite the words are jumbling into one big cluster of a mess. the squid does sound appetizing, and instead giving her father a full answer, she plants her head against his shoulder. ]

I wanna eat rich.

[ jinx says finally in a soft and relaxing tone. ]

... Like this world is entirely ours with no one telling us what to do or how to do it, and no one can ever hurt us again. So... squid's good, if it's fancy.

Edited 2024-04-28 23:23 (UTC)

[His expression did not change when Jinx danced around near him, pretending to only be focusing on the menu. He did not like having his back to so many strangers, and he was still getting used to being out in the open regularly. The normal faire of people that had him on their bucket list to murder were down to a small handful, so he could be out more freely. Besides, new city and his daughter would definitely murder someone for touching him, so he was fine to be here.

He snorted softly at her claim to eat rich. There were far more high-end establishments than this that would serve far better quality food. Still, this would have to do as he wasn't going to carry her to fine dining. She would definitely throw food at someone, and he would be hard pressed not to laugh. He had his reputation to consider.]

That will be true soon enough, Jinx. For now, we will eat like that is already our lives. They have no reason to stop us.

[Besides, this was a good opportunity to size up the competition for when he brought in the Last Drop and barred the sister from it. Not that she'd listen. Anyway.]

HA! — A birdie told me Jerry might be... [ she uses her index finger to demonstrate the illusion of someone slicing a throat with a skkrt sound effect to go along with it. ] — Jinxie hasn't seen him around lately. And when I chatted with Raggie sometime ago, he hadn't heard from him either, and he's the one who blew 'em all up!

[ it's a little strange, to say the least, but she has her own little theory about his disappearance. does she believe he will show up eventually? oh, most certainly. but until he does, she should wreak havoc while the getting is good. ]

Definitely not fair in my eyes. I'm starting to think the council just doesn't like girls who have a brain between their ears.

A temporary reprieve from his usual interferences, or they will employ someone new. After all, Jerry is about as real as the rest of this place. [He recalled what Levi told him privately about Jerry's shift in appearance, which only built the narrative that they were all being held here as some kind of silly hostage experiment. He didn't mind much, as he had enough freedoms to do most of what he wanted to.] We should consider his lack of enforcer presence as a boon.

[It also made him want to see what would happen if someone blatantly began to break things again. How would the Council summon those that resisted? Perhaps it was time to test the boundaries of this place to see if Jerry's disappearance was truth or an illusion.]

I have the impression the Council doesn't like anyone who can't adhere to their rules. Perhaps they will loosen up now that the brute had done his job.

[ right as she opens her mouth to speak, the barkeep returns to them with their requested drinks. and as promised, a glass of whiskey for him and a big fishbowl-like glass of some fruity drink for her. at the sight, jinx slams both of her palms onto the bar counter, then gasps with exaggeration. the poor man startles at her sudden excitement and even stumbles back a bit before regaining his footing again. ]

This... looks... amazing!!

[ with a high pitch squeal, she does a small jig in her seat in celebration while reaching something in her back pocket. is she going to give him a tip? at least, that's what he is hoping for. the night's been pretty rough on his end, and he could use some good fortune. but luck won't be on his side tonight as she fishes out some lint and drops it onto the table. the bartender blinks once, twice, then peers up at the girl in extreme confusion. and jinx holds the gaze back, meeting the same expression. ]

What? You can do a lot with cotton lint. Like making fire when you're out of matches. Trust me, you'll thank me when you're stranded.

[ and with that, the teenager dives in her drink -- sipping the juice so fast through the straw. as for the man, he looks extremely depressed as he stretches over to take the offer... ]

[Silco's reaction was the usual sedate one, though he watched his daughter put on overly enthusiatic show for the barkeep. He would have to keep an eye on her for the night on how she interacted with them man and perhaps make a job offer in the future if Jinx taken a keen liking to tormenting him in her usual way. She needed a barkeep to make her drinks and be absolutely obtuse about how to handle her antics.

He picked up his drink and swirled the amber liquid unnecessarily as he watched Jinx hand over some pocket lint. The corner of his lip twitched in amusement, and he left it for the barkeep to take the lint as if it was some kind of offering.

In true dichotomy fashion, he set down enough currency to pay for both of their drinks and a healthy tip for the man.]

An order of calamari as well. [He turned to Jinx sucking away at her massive drink.] Come, Jinx, pick a game tables and we shall enjoy ourselves.

[ the man's spirit lifts at the currency on the table, looking over at silco with gratitude twinkling in his eye. maybe when it's just the two of them, he will express how much this amount actually means to him during his tiring times. but for now, he nods to him obediently and hurries off to put in the order.

meanwhile with jinx, the hastily sips immediately sting to her temples -- a new spark wave of alcoholic buzz to recloud her already hazy mind. her good influence friends would advise her to slow down, and to take it easy. but this is a "i want to forget" kind of night, to dull all of her heartaches and insecurities until she can't recall why she was so upset in the first place. when silco regains her attention again, jinx nods in agreement and scoops the enormous drinking glass with both hands. there's no way she is leaving this baby behind. the girl skids off the stool in a light fumble before cocking her head to one side at the empty pool table nearby. ]

Mmm, that one!

[ and without any delay, jinx scurries on over -- nearly bumping into a stranger in which she rudely blares out,"hey, move it!!" then continues on. the man eyes the teenager, but says nothing -- returning to converse with his other drinking buddies. so far, so good with the "no causing trouble" department. ]

[Silco knew that look, and he was not above capitalizing on it either. It wasn't stealing the competition if he could just plain offer better and seal that loyalty to remain with him in the future as well. This was just the start, and he would see what this one was really made of if nothing better came his way once he 'prayed' to the 'gods' about getting his own little taste of home back. He'd been thinking about it for a month or so, and now that he was established, he could consider expansion.

For now though, he pushed off of leaning on the bar to follow his daughter away to one of the games tables of her choice. He had promised to school her in the ways of games, even though she too had been raised in a bar and probably had many exposures to such things. Her drunkenness would either make it easier or harder for him, and that remained to be seen once she had decided on a table.

He moved pass the one that Jinx had ordered to move it and said nothing as he followed his daughter over to a pool table. He examined it like it might be rigged before setting down his drink on the side of it and shrugging out of his coat. That's when one knew he was going to take things seriously.]

This is your choice? Set the table then, and pick your pole, Jinx.

[He and Vander had played a lot of pool in their youth during the off hours. It was fitting he reframed such memories with those of his daughter. After all, he didn't spend a lot of time on games when there was an Undercity to force together, so this was even a novelty for him after working so many hours in Aldrip.]

[ she sing-songs a hum as a reply, and places the beverage on a nearby table. her gaze drifts off to the pole selection, with her head cock curiously to one side. are they all the same, or does a stick make a difference in a game? maybe so, but with her mind being as sloshed as it is, there's no telling so she'll stick to choosing one at random. the girl tucks the pole underneath her arm and makes her way back to the table, grabbing what she needs to set all the balls in its trangler rack. however when she glances down at the set, her expression warps into confusion. ]

Wait, does the order matter? Like... the colors and numbers and stuff?

[He waited and took another sip from his tumbler as he waited for Jinx to select the pole that she would initially play with. Hopefully neither of them decided to break one or two over the course of the game. He wasn’t expecting that this game would be anything more than a laugh for them while everyone else might just have to endure watching the pain of it.

He approached and picked his own cue, touching the tip to see how rounded it was and making certain it wasn’t angled much on any one side. He returned to the table and regarded her puzzlement.]

Black eight-ball in the middle of the set. White ball remains out as that is the cue ball that we hit. The first person to knock in a ball will have to sink all of those – stripes or solids. The last ball to sink is the eight ball, as that decides the game winner.

Eight-ball in the middle....

[ she mumbles out the instructions to herself as she rearranges the set. and once she believes she has it correctly, jinx peers up at her father with a slight doe-like twinkle in her eyes — waiting for an approval or dissatisfaction over how she laid out their game.

if she wasn't intoxicated, the rules of the game would be extremely easy to grasp, especially when she had seen it being played a few times during her youth. but the memories on how the game is meant to be played is a haze to her now, and she'll be looking for father in hope he will guide her halfway there. ]

[Silco nodded when she had rearranged the eight ball where it should be, resting the butt of his pool cue on the floor. He gestured with a hand at her from the opposite end of the table where she was standing.]

Now roll the set to the middle dot at your end of the table. We will shoot from where I am down the table at it after you remove the triangle. We will use the cue ball from one of the points at my side of the table to start the game officially.

[He waited for her to remove the triangle so that the balls could move when struck. It had been some time for him, but he made certain to keep up with many of the games of his youth but also that could be used for gambling outlets.]

Also, if you sink the eight ball before all of your colours have been sunk, you will remove it from one of the net pouches along with one of your balls to put back into play.

[ still following his instructions, jinx rolls the set and centered it where it needed to be. but somewhere during the middle of her father's explanation of the game, an uncomfortable shiver prickles at the back of her neck. suddenly, she feels as if the entire bar is glued to them and her movements, evaluating her closely just to see how well she can grasp the game's rules with her plastered mind. anxiously, she peeks over her shoulder — seeing mylo, claggor, and several orphans from the undercity standing with folded arms and impatient stares. a giggle chimes to her left ear, and she snaps her attention to it — not seeing anyone there, but... the ridicule is thickening their atmosphere by the second.

outside of her hallucination episode, though, the patrons are paying no mind to the pair — maybe a glance or two, but nothing that screamed of judgmental behavior or trouble. jinx steadily gazes back to the set on the table and her trembling fingers, carefully removing the triangle barrier to reveal the nicely shaped set. and once she puts it away, she makes her way to her father with the stick still underneath her armpit. ]

Uhm, you wanna do the honors?

[ she offers apprehensively, and doing all but look to the direction of the dead and the orphans on the other side of the table. ]

[Silco knew that look when it overcame her expression, the little glances to images that didn't exist and likely voices to follow. He continued to explain the rules anyway, keeping things calm and on track as he knew she would never want a scene in the middle of a public bar like this. She despised the idea of being seen as weak after all, so he wouldn't put her in the position to do so. However, he was watching in case the episode became overwhelming and he did have to intervene.

Her trembling fingers lifting the triangle and then she was coming over to him. He watched her even as he reached for the blue chalk and rubbed it over the cue tip. He offered it to her as a distraction.]

This is just for fun, Jinx. No stakes. Besides, you learn most subjects quickly.

[Then he stepped away from her to set the cue ball in the middle and leaned over the table to line up his shot. A quick snap of the cue shot the white ball forward and into triangle of them, breaking the formation and sending balls everywhere around the table. None of them entered the pockets this round, and he didn't mind in the least. He rose and returned to his daughter and his drink, taking a moment to survey the table as he sipped his whiskey. Then he gestured with the tumbler.]

It's all about angles. I would suggest sinking a ball in close proximity to the cue to get a feel for the table and the strength needed. Trick shots come later.

Just... for fun.

[ she repeats his words more to herself than to him out loud. he is right, this is just a carefree game between father and daughter where no one dies at the end, or the results conclude to humiliation. but she still tightens her lips when her deadly onlookers refuse to leave the premises so she can focus clearly. jinx's pinks dart away again, and uses all of her concentration solely on silco to study his form.

when it's her turn, she swells her lungs with air and takes a step forward — examining the table before her, and for which ball to strike first given the cue's position. his daughter parrots him by rubbing the chalk at the tip of her stick, and then arranging herself over the table. the teenager teeths on her lower lip with concentration, her eyes squinting as she takes the shot. like his previous move, the ball didn't go in and bounces off to the opposite side... but now edging dangerously at a hole nearby. ]

[Silco stood nearby as Jinx set herself up for a shot, resting the butt of the pool cue on the floor with both of his hands holding onto it. He made certain to exude an air of patient calmness, and he had no skin in this game in the least. He was a man who liked to win in set circumstances, but he wasn't above admitting where he didn't have strengths either and then surrounded himself with people who could do the things that he couldn't.

Evolution was learning, was loyalty to the idea that they all had something to give (even if it was their deaths).

He made a noise when she knocked around the balls around the table, and he only then moved around the table to have a good angle to the cue ball. He might not be competitive in this instance, but neither was he going to throw the game to cheapen her own efforts. That's not how he operated, especially with Jinx.

He bent over the table, lining up a shot and knocking in a solid orange ball into the corner basket. He stood and gestured at the table.]

I will be aiming for solid colours, which means you will have to knock in all the ones with stripes. For every ball that you knock into a basket on a turn, you get another shot until you either knock them all in or you don't sink one then the turn passes back to you. Understand?

[He was already moving around the table and line up a second shot, and he knocked the cue ball into a cluster of three balls, none of which entered the baskets but separated them for easier shots in the future.]

Your turn.

[ her mood sours just a touch when silco scores, but not enough to throw a fit or call for a redo. the game just started, after all, and it's not like she's playing against the boy savior who she swears cheats to some capacity. regardless, she understood the direction except for one thing... ]

How come I have to knock off the stripe ones? [ using her stick, she points at a random solid color ball] What's wrong with me hitting those?

Edited 2024-05-19 22:42 (UTC)

Because if you knock in the solids, you'll be pushing me closer to the win.

[If it was one thing that he knew, it was that Jinx was highly competitive and would hate to lose to him even if it was 'for fun'. Already, he could see her displeasure that he had sunk a ball before her. He leaned against the table with his hip.]

And you wouldn't want to give me the win, would you?

Noooo, but why do you get to claim the solids? You better not say it's 'cause you're older and you say so.

[ despite her argument, she maneuvers around the table to a cue and takes another gander over her options. there is one stripe that would be able to make in if she lines things up just right. so carefully, she leans forward again -- setting the stick between her index and middle with one eye closed. ]

I'm gonna catch up to you, y'know.

Edited 2024-05-20 02:23 (UTC)

Because the first ball that I sunk into the basket was solid. That means I will play solids to the end of the game, and you will play stripes.

[If she wanted to play solids, he would not stand in her way. Neither would he pick off stripes either. He nodded his head at her assurances that she would be catching up, making certain to take a sip from his whiskey.]

Oh yes, I have faith. Your move, Jinx.

[ the blueberry haired girl wets her lips carefully as she concentrates with her body motionless. maybe if she views this whole game from a different angle, it'll click. like silco says, it's all about angles. the tip of the pole is the edge of the barrel and the ball, being the target — a bottle, a bird,... an enforcer?

it's a little difficult to imagine a law enforcement when the ball is nowhere near shaped like a human head, but maybe she can make due with it... somehow. jinx's specialty is improvising under any circumstances, so this shouldn't be any unusual. swallowing a deep breath, she takes her shot and the stripe ball speeds rapidly into the hole with a loud thud. his daughter beams at her first victory goal, and she stands up right with a light pep in her step to move around the table. ]

Now I go again, right?

Edited 2024-05-22 04:16 (UTC)

[He wondered if she would get into the game or be resistant to the rules and just knock balls around the table to disrupt everything. He wouldn't mind if she did as long as she was distracted from the other woes of her life for some time. That didn't happen, and she settled into the game.

From where he was standing, she was lining up the shot well. He expected she would have success as long as she didn't hit the cue too hard or too softly. He made a noise of triumph when a stripped ball went into the basket, nodding his head.]

You do, yes. You go until you don't knock in any stripped balls into a basket.

[He noted that the barkeep was coming around with a plate of calamari for them. He rested his hands on his play stick.]

Our meal arrives.

[ jinx was on her way to line up another shot, but the sight and the light aroma of calamari tugged her away from their game. grinning like a kid in a toy store, she places the stick on the pool table and maneuvers quickly to their meal. and as usual, the teenager show no proper manners to the barkeep as she jerks the plate out of his hands — no bit of a "thank you", either.

the barman frowns over the etiquette and a sigh leaves his chest once again in defeat. what a thankless job this is, all so he can keep himself and his family off the streets. with silco's meal, he extends it out for him to take -- expecting the same attitude, and his body language tightens as he braces himself for a snatch or some sort of rude gesture like his daughter. meanwhile with jinx, she takes a quick spoon full of her meal, then washes it down with her almost forgotten drink. ]

MMm, this is the best date!

[ she compliments with her mouth still stuffed. but his daughter then reflects over her own words for a moment; redirecting her statement: ]

... Actually, this is the only date I've ever been on. Quentin never took me out.

Edited 2024-05-25 21:13 (UTC)

[Silco said nothing of Jinx's rudeness, not caring in the least. However, he looked at the barkeep and made a show of sighing a little, shrugging his shoulders as if to indicate 'kids, right? as he moved over with his cue in hand and then offered the man a few extra coins for the trouble to hand off before he took his own meal. "Your service is appreciated," he said.

He set his own plate down on the edge of the pool table and ate far more delicately. He would lose interest in food soon enough, which meant there would be plenty for Jinx to steal from his plate over the course of the night. He couldn't have her passing out drunk, after all. He would carry her, but it would be far more exasperated than the last time.]

You know me. I always provide you with the best.

[He kept the frown off his face at the mention of Quentin. Good riddance.]

You simply have to find that special someone who values your company to be out on the town. [And Silco would try not to have them murdered. Maybe.]

[ she wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and lightly staggers her way to the pool table again. ] — But I'm not really pretty.

[ normally, jinx wouldn't admit this so casually or this openly, but the liquor is allowing her tongue to be loose and free. hopefully, her sober self will not remember this particular exchange — it'd be way too embarrassing. ]

Aaannnd I don't think I'm a lotta people's types.

[ clearing her throat and aiming to get her head back in the game, the teenager leans forward to the table again to line up her shot. ]

Maybe for a lay or something, but so not girlfriend material.

Is that so?

[He raised his eyebrow at the suggestion of beauty. He was not one to play into ideas of attractiveness, as he couldn't throw stones. After all, half of his face was blemish of a scar, so he was winning no awards. His opinion was that his daughter was attractive, and she sold herself short on that front.

He took a bite of the meal and chewed slowly, carefully as he observed her.]

We are both acquired tastes, and that isn't an insult. You have found people here who have accepted you as you are, and that should lend credence to your attractiveness.

[He moved his plate to a nearby table so that there was less likelihood he might lose it with a stray ball from the table. Jinx might become enthusiastic with her shooting after all.]

Does that notion bother you?

[ while her eyes are tensely focused on the ball in front of her, she is also listening to his words very attentively. he is right about her finding people here, locals and chosen, who have accepted her, despite the beast that burrows within her if pushed in the wrong way. but a voice hisses at the side of her ear with a question that often keeps her awake at night. 'if so, how come i'm not getting a happy ending like all the other couples here'

so far, everyone met their suitors at first sight and living on their days without one crack rippling in their paradise. jinx, on the other hand, had a boyfriend for one solid month until an avalanche erupted. what was she doing that was so wrong that caused her relationship with quentin to fall apart so quickly? he mentioned being angry with her for not being there during the rescue mission, but he wasn't there when the city was under attack. it sounded pretty even-stevens to her, but... he made her feel she was the blame of everything.

there is ethan who is loosely in her life too, and she's enjoying the little moments they share — but deep down, she knows he is nothing more but ones, zeros, and gargling codes. his daughter shrugs thoughtlessly at his latest question, her expression hardening and becoming a little difficult to read. ]

Sex is sex.

[ she states a little clumsily; the talk of lovemaking is not exactly something she should talk with her father about. maybe with a mother, sure, but... dads are well... dads. ]

If it happens, it's whatever. Or. Something.

[ eventually, the teenager fires her shot and the ball bounces off a corner and completely off the mark. she straightens her spine again, then makes her way to her beverage — definitely need a big gulp. ]

— Couldn't hurt to be... a little... more. I guess.

Edited 2024-05-26 04:46 (UTC)

[Silco had put the idea of a romantic relationship - boyfriend, girlfriend, whatever - well over a decade ago. He had ignored the craving for connection for many years, so he was limited on how he could connect to his daughter on such a subject. It required the kind of reach and trust that he didn't believe he was capable of beyond Jinx herself, but they were family. He let her close, let her in where others hadn't been able to, and he was satisfied with that.

Some small part of him was concerned by her distress over not able to find a boyfriend to fill whatever void she had. It was the natural order of things, wanting to be wanted, wanting what they likely were never allowed to have for long.]

Sex is pleasure and connection, even for some fleeting moments. Assuming it's worth it of course.

[He might not engage in it these days, but that didn't mean he hadn't in the past. He knew what it was like, and while it was not a subject they ventured to aside from 'be safe about it' in an offhand conversation, he wouldn't stop her from discussing it with him.]

Or something.

[He watched her shot go off the rails, and he moved away from food to take up his cue again as he moved around the table to line up a shot for himself.]

If you want a boyfriend or girlfriend or just friends, don't stop on my account. Don't let anyone stand in your way of finding that person which gives you the pleasure you're seeking, in or out of sex.

[ her father's heart is in the right place, she knows it, but she can't help but to snort like an obnoxious little piggy over his encouragement. with a hand holding onto her stick and shoveling the calamari with the other, she muffles out a reminder: ]

Yeah? — And you wanted to bury my last boyfriend becaaauuuuuse.....♪?

[ because if what he is saying holds true, there wouldn't have been such a scuffle between the three of them. ]

Edited 2024-05-26 05:30 (UTC)

That's obvious. He wasn't good enough for you, and he treated you like dirt.

[Silco felt he could say that now, and he hoped that Jinx would agree with him. The heart wanted what the heart wanted though, and he was of the opinion that she could aim so much higher than that idiot. A part of his recognized it might be self-sabotaging behaviour on Quentin's part, but this was Jinx they were talking about and he would almost always take her side.

He hit the cue ball into a crowd of three balls, breaking them up and sinking a solid ball in the process. He stood straight and moved around the table, bringing him closer to Jinx.]

I would be doing you a favour burying that one. He treated you like Piltover treats Zaun. That's what we are all used to, but come now, we deserve to aim higher, Jinx.

[ jinx thins and wets her lips as she can feel her cheeks warming with slight embarrassment. is he trying to hint that she possibly has shit taste for choosing a guy like quentin? she isn't going to agree or disagree that her ex was prince charming, and she is a girl who refuses to lie. because in truth, he wasn't all bad, he was sweet sometimes, he supported her when it came to her voices and hallucinations, and their sex life was phenomenal. but the most recent events of that relationship outweighed and clouded the good, and for silco to compare him to the pilities made it seem as if she had some sort of hidden bizarre complex. ]

I-I wouldn't... go that far....

[ she stutters over her words before sipping more of her drink to hide her shame. at least the drink tastes good... because apparently, her taste in boys aren't. ]

Edited 2024-05-26 17:30 (UTC)

[Silco leaned over the pool table again, resting one hand on the edge of it as the other stabilized his cue as he lined up another shot. He didn't take it though, turning his head to regard his daughter. This was not a topic that they had discussed openly before, and he had previously made his feelings on the matter far more muted than he actually felt.]

Then close to that line. Even you admit he treated you terribly. You deserve better, and you will find that person someday.

[He turned his attention back to the game, shooting and missing sinking the next solid by an unfortunate ricochet. He stood and glanced at Jinx.]

Your move. [Double meaning.]

is that offer of employment still good?

I take it that you are looking for employment. Is there anything in particular you are looking to put your skills to use doing?

not really

I have openings at two restaurants, one at my flower shop, and a single more private opportunity.

[Restaurants probably mean cooking or bringing things to people...he can't really cook. Flower shop probably also involves talking to people. Hm.]

the flower shop would be better.

[The other one...well, he can't say he's not curious.]

what's the other one?

Flowers do seem to be a personal favourite for many, yes.

[Now, now, could he actually trust this one after a single meeting and then stalking him on the open network to learn more about him? It couldn't hurt anyone but Levi himself.]

My daughter needs a bodyguard, but a discreet one. Keep their distance but nip trouble before she finds it.

[His daughter. Jinx. She doesn't seem the type to need a bodyguard, but he guesses parents might be like that. (Maybe??? They were in books sometimes.) And it might be just as much to keep Jinx from causing trouble as it is from trouble coming to her. No way even her parents could predict how that girl would act.

It would definitely be within his skill set; maybe keep him from getting rusty here. Monsters were only one type of enemy and he's certain something that needs fighting will pop up here sooner or later. And even though it's fallen to the wayside for a time, he was still thinking of going to explore outside of town. She'd offered to come, so it'd be good to get a better idea of how she acted.

It was basically what he was doing for some of the other contestants during Termina, after all.]

i can do it. what trouble do you want kept away from her?

[Like were there people who had it out for her or some known threat. He should probably ask if Silco wants Levi to kill any sources of trouble or just scare them away, but it doesn't occur to him.]

[He waited. Anyone with this one's history would have to consider the value of the offer. After all, when he had helped the boy, he had clearly not wanted to use such skills overly much. A potential toe dipping back into the pool was all he was asking.

For now.]

The usual. People wanting to take advantage of a young lady too drunk to defend herself properly. How you deal with them I leave up to you. Keep it discreet. She doesn't need to I don't trust her to not take care of herself, but she is taking extra risks these days and I want her to be free to do as she likes while being safe.

[He realizes he'd never imagined Jinx drunk and is now unsure what she'd be like. She was a handful when sober, hopefully she'd mellow out but it seemed more likely she'd go more crazy. ...he's a little scared of that, actually. He'll have to take extra care to avoid being seen by her.]

okay.

what are the hours?

[That's a thing you asked right??? Should he ask about pay? He'd never had a job before okay.]

[There were new opportunities since the explosion. He knew his daughter well enough to know she'd chase the thrill and also that she would be drowning her sorrows about the stupid boy.]

Evenings mostly. Six hours of keeping track of her. If you wish to play the friend, do so. If you prefer to remain to the shadows, do so.

[Good luck. She was a slippery one.]

[Friend would probably be easier...but he wasn't good with people and Jinx was A LOT. With how erratic she was she might be hard to keep track of, but if he just came up to her wanting to be friends (how did people even do that???) it'd seem weird given the note they'd ended their only in-person meeting on. Maybe he could...ease into the friend thing sometimes. But there's no way he's going to be able to deal with talking to her every night.]

i'm better at shadowing people than making friends, but i can try to do both based on what seems to be needed.

[It'd be weird if he went to a club or something with his rifle, wouldn't it? Maybe somewhere in this new city he could find a handgun or something easier to conceal. He preferred rifles but he'd been trained in all kinds of guns.]

would i have to find her each night or do you know where she's likely to be when you want me to start a [What was the word?] shift?

do you provide equipment or would i need to get my own?

[Ammo, mostly. His only frame of reference for security detail is during a war and a hell festival, after all.]

[He wagered Levi wasn't socialized enough to be the friend type. He could ply the kid with freedom through Shimmer, but he was holding that in his back pocket for now. He wanted to see how the pair of them reacted first, then he would alter his plan.]

Excellent, I like a man who is adaptable.

[Flattery.]

It may be a bit of both. She doesn't always tell me where she is going, but she always calls me when she's in trouble. If I know, I'll tell you. If I don't, I expect you have the skills to find her based on the noise she makes. Tell me what equipment you need, and I will find a way to get it to you.

[He's definitely adaptable, he needed to be since he was very young. ~~He'll just have to look forward to that Shimmer later.~~]

the only weapons i have a hard to conceal, i'd need something easier to hide.

Blade, firearm, or hand weapon?

firearm. i can use a blade but i have much more experience in firearms.

a small handgun would be perfect. and some ammunition, of course.

I will see what can by done to acquire such items. I'll have it to you soon enough.

thank you. just let me know where to go.

Of course. Once I have the supplies you need, we can consider it a show of your hiring. I will pay you in cash or equivalent.

hey, did you make it out of that weird city thing okay?

[wtf......]

[The question wasn't particularly strange, but the person it was coming from was. He was immediately suspicious.]

Yes. Did you?

yeah. i talked to Jinx not too long ago, too.

my memories are so fucked up, still. other people seem to have put themselves together... but the only constant i have right now is you and Jinx and our family. that's right, isn't it?

[He'd be amused by her memories being messed up, except for the whole 'our family' words that were written. No. No. How dare this place include this one in his family.]

The twist in memories is problematic. You and your sister are still on good terms then?

[she doesn't really seem to think too much on the problematic bit of her memories. she doesn't consider that there's nothing wrong.]

yeah, we are. for a little while, in that place... we weren't? or something? but i'd never leave her like that.

[oh, Vi...]

that part's straightened out, at least.

You've had sibling up and downs. It's normal I'm told.

[He was so close to having a go at her, to screw up her memories more. He was more offended that this place would dare let her think they could do more than dislike each other for the threat they were to one another.]

And how many fights have we had, you and I?

[there's a long silence as she considers. she's not sure why he's asking, but she's just going to answer.]

a few. we don't always see eye-to-eye, but... that's parent ups and downs. it's normal.

[girl,]

i should probably tell you. i got picked for sentencing, but i don't think it should interfere with my duties.

i did notice something weird, though. jerry kind of...changed for a moment. he looked like he was made of wires or beams or something. it didn't last for long and he didn't seem to notice, but i know i saw it.

What penance have you been tasked with? I believe you. Given the sudden changes of this place, it stands to reason that Jerry is not what he appears. After all, he doesn't suffer injury nor can he be reasoned with against his morals. This information is valuable.

find something to fight for or a cause to join and see it through to the end or some shit like that.

[How does he even do that here? He doubts anything here matters that much.]

its the only time i've interacted with him. it sounds like he's got some sort of power from whatever's running this place.

How are you to do that in a few weeks? I suppose that they intend for you to socialize.

[Silco had a cause, and Levi was basically part of it now anyway.]

Were there any changes in his speech patterns during the brief time you saw what lay under the mask of his?

may 10th. i guess they do.

[Surely Silco's cause we a good one to see through.]

no, it was just for like a second or two. it only happened once.

well, i can't remember talking to the council at all, so i guess it could have happened then too.

[After last month such memory fuckery doesn't seem surprising. He still doesn't like it, though.]

So what is it you want to believe in, Levi? Surely there is some campaign that has or will stir your heart and mind.

[Silco believes so, and that's really what he thinks matters.]

I appreciate you bringing this information to me. It may stand to reason that this new prison has some issues to work out. No one remembers talking to the Council. That remains consistent at least.

i. i don't know. i just want to be left alone.
but i don't think this place will let me.

there's barely been any time since aldrip turned into this, maybe whoever's in charge is still getting used to it.

that makes sense. can't risk someone remembering your voice or face.

Then your choice is to make this place leave you alone, but that will come with a fight, now won't it? Many of us would like to simply be left alone and perhaps that is the cause we can all be apart of. If their histories are any indication, there have been others in other cities. We have few details of those accounts. We can assume they were failures. Or perhaps the Council themselves don't exist as people. They are like Jerry, wires and beams pushing a set agenda.

yeah. i guess it would...i know there are people who want to rebel or fight against the council but i have no idea how they'd do that. aside from just blowing shit up, since that didn't seem to change much. they're still in charge.

there have been other councils?

[He heard something about a desert town or something, hadn't he?]

i guess that's possible too. or they are people but they're not in whatever this world is, just telling it what to do and sending messages.

A cause isn't only about blowing up buildings and killing people; it is about gathering strength in numbers to make the cost of repression too high to want to continue. And then we lobby, we organize, we protest, and we make them pay for every moment they meddle with our lives. We stand together for our goal. Apparently, but scant evidence of the dynamic exists.

[Someone would dig up such information and if history had any bearing on people, they would be willing to share it all.]

We could be an experiment in a glass enclosure drinking drug infused water.

i can't imagine that's what they had in mind when they gave me this task. but i don't care. i'll help if you'll have me.

i think it's more likely they're running things from outside. why put themselves in danger by getting closer to us? that'd just be stupid.

[That makes it sound kind of helpless, though.]

but if thats the case, maybe we can cut them off.

...sorry, i don't really have any ideas here. this is all over my head.

You're joining a cause; if what you wrote to me is true, the Council gives you the freedom to choose what that cause is. Now you are part of my cause, and together we will see the cause to its conclusion one way or another. Beyond the borders of the known land that we have access to, you mean? Glass cage indeed.

[It wouldn't surprise him. He had thought about it.]

We need more information and alter the necessary plans to fortify our cause.

[He'll probably try to find a shorter term cause to go after too, just in case. But he'd throw his full weight into this one. Being brought here to suffer wasn't that terrible, but messing with his memories and creating that fake him? That was too far.]

i will. i promise.

yeah, something like that. i don't really get it, but if they can change everything like they did they might not even be within it.

[Like gods and there other realms or something. Rher's realm interacted with the earth, but it was definitely a different place.]

okay. if i find anything i'll let you know.

[He probably wouldn't go looking, but he hadn't been looking for whatever the hell happened to Jerry.]

[For now, Levi was replying with the types of words that he wanted to hear. Time would tell if that loyalty would match up, but he had a good feeling about this one. It would take work on his head to solidify it, of course, but this was what they both potentially needed.]

I believe you. They are our overseers. They are aware of everything that we do even such action done in secret, and they punish us for such things. They also have a startling lack of interpreting nuance. Yes, and I will pass useful information to you in return.

[Like a partnership. Except, he determines what is useful enough to be passed along, of course.]

they might know what we do and say here, but i don't think they know that much about us before that. i'm guilty of my crime but only once. they acted like i'd done it again and again.

[Hes fine with that, then he doesn't have to figure out whats useful and what isn't. He's not the ideas guy.]

I expect you are right about that. Our crimes seem arbitrary for some and ridiculous for others. I believe it is an excuse to maintain the lie of our being here.

that would make sense.

It is only a matter of time before we get to the bottom of this situation. They barely have control as it is.

[He's not sure about them barely having control, but he agreed most times it seemed they either didn't or didn't care to.]

i worked as a sniper, i know how to observe and wait for an opening. we'll just need to do that.

Good. I look forward to see your skills in action. I expect they will be impressive.

Edited 2024-04-22 00:35 (UTC)

i won't let you down Sir.

[ this particular evening is different from all of her previous nights so far. and what separates this one from the others is that once the duo finish their dinner, jinx will not venture out to paint the town red until the sun comes up. actually, if she has to be in the sunlight any more than a minute, she might just blow the stupid star into orbit. but seeing ragna's explosive rage caused their entire life to flip a one-eighty, maybe it wouldn't be such a smart idea to obliterate the luminary.

so tonight, instead, she will have a nice, quiet, and dark sundown in with her father. besides, these past few nights might have left silco lonely, and if the shoe was on the other foot -- she'd... be pretty peeved over his late night work shifts. at the dinner table, jinx ducks her head down with her hand over her forehead, shielding away the already overshadowed kitchen light from her visual perception. if only shimmer or the food she is currently digesting can nurse a hangover. but it seems like not even a good cook meal or scientific serum can save her from this intense pounding to her temples.

the teenager spears at her dinner mindlessly until her smartphone that's resting just inches away vibrates to life. she grimaces at the sound, and irritation fills her instantly without knowing exactly who is contacting her. who would be at this hour anyway? it's not extremely late at night yet, but normally, all the other nobodies would be having supper time like them right now. maybe her sister? ragna? could be urgent. ... but for now, she'll ignore it till her frustration subsides. ]

Need a refill?

[ she asks, finally glancing up to silco and then to his glass. he isn't so old and vulnerable that he can't fill his own cup if he feels it needs it. however, she wants to be kinder to him and show her appreciation. ]

Edited 2024-04-24 04:00 (UTC)

[Silco was forcing his own habits to change when it came to the time in and around dinner time. Yes, he cooked and often cleaned up when Jinx popped up and ran out the door to indulge in the new town setting, but he waited until she had done so before returning to work. He would, at times, walk the town to learn it and figure out the best places to set up the next venture to allow him to gather information and create an ever expanded reach. That he had to do it personally was a bit of a pain after so long with a subordinate that was so effective as Sevika.

He pushed around his food more than ate it, a grazer more than a full-meal kind of person. He had eaten his fill already, and he was instead far more interested in observing his daughter with her newest hangover symptoms. When her phone buzzed and she ignored it, he set down his fork and sat back in his chair. Normally, she would jump at the chance to converse with someone, usually making whatever plans for a night on the town.

His eyes drift to his cup, which was only a quarter full. He hadn't planned on drinking much more as he was setting up all the necessary permits for the new business.]

Are you staying in tonight? Someone didn't offend you, did they?

[Read: did he need to pay someone to make a corpse go in a body of water?]

[ his first question wasn't anything out of the ordinary, but the follow-up one had her squinting in sheer bafflement. ]

Wha...?

[ his daughter drops her fork as well, and rejects his ask with a wave of a hand. she doesn't want to confess the reason of her staying in is due to her migraine being so massive that she wants to curl up into a ball and cry. although even if she decides to keep it unwraps, she looks utterly repulsive with her hair unkept and like a cat chewed her up and spat her back out. ]

N-No, no. Everything's fine, Silco.

[ jinx mutters as she sits more upright, trying to look a little bit presentable but also nonchalantly. ]

I just wanna stay in. Besides, no one can offend me. [ and then, she beams a smile towards his way. ] — I'm unbreakable.

You don't look fine.

[He said that simply, as if he were merely talking about the weather forecast rather than her state of being. There was something wrong, and he had various tactics to get her to open up to him. In the end, it was very rare that she wouldn't give him some semblance of the issue at hand, and those odd mystery box scenarios were truly head scratching. This didn't seem like it would be one of those times.

He watched her for a long moment and hummed.]

Are you? Well, if you are staying in, what is it that you plan on doing for the evening? Tinkering, drawing, or telling me that you're bored?

Edited 2024-04-28 18:55 (UTC)

[ her grin limps when she fails to convince him, and her mood gradually dries. she prays this is not yet another cross-examination where she needs to spill her guts out over her reasoning. can't she just stay in because she wants to? does everything need to have some hidden deep meaning?

... well, there is a motive beyond just the migraine she's suffering from, and it's a topic she would like to avoid tackling. except that the particular subject is buzzing at the table for the second time now. again, not that she knows it's that said person reaching out to her -- jinx still has yet to take a peep over her phone. ]

I just... partied too hard, that's all, okay?

[ his daughter hunches back to the table, shoveling her meal around to get it prepped up for digesting. ]

And I dunno, maybe all three. — Or make more bracelets. [ what an oddball hobby, she's aware - so she elaborates. ] It's a dumb hobby I picked up when I couldn't shoot anything.

[He did have to wonder what sort of stray she may have begun associating with lately to cause such a headache in her. Normally, she would go hard with new people, which she had been doing, so staying in usually indicated some kind of fall out. Normally, she would be in a different mood than this, so he gauged her reaction carefully.

Yet, he could never deny the pleasure in her spending the night in. He was not a lonely person, content with being alone with his thoughts much of the time, but his daughter was a pleasure to deal with for him.]

So you require some recuperation time. I suggest drinking plenty of water and high fat foods.

[He had seen her taking up bracelet making. It was good to keep her hands occupied honestly, and he was just as happy that she had busied herself. He disliked that this place had handicapped her creativity in such a way. If he had his previous resources, he would have already removed such obstacles, but he too was handicapped by this place. He needed more time.]

I know. So you have four activities to do tonight.

[ she bobs her head thoughtfully over his suggestion, like it's the first time she had ever heard such a solution. it's not to mock him honestly, jinx is just going along with the conversation as a family should during dinnertime. because beyond the topic of aldrip going through a drastic makeover, there isn't much to talk about these days. although, the second month is coming up -- meaning fresh meat will be on the way. that is if this new version will continue its routine of newbies. ]

Mm, yeah. Water. Y'know, they should really bruise up the stuff. It gets soooo boring without any flavor. Maybe put a dash of lemon or a peach! That'll put a real kick to the step of recovery.

[ — a third shiver from her phone, and this time, her ability to ignore it wears off. her content attitude whips drastically to rage as she stretches for the device with a snarl. whoever the hell this person is, better be on their deathbed or bleeding out to be bothering her like this. and if they're not, she'll make sure they're in that state whenever her head is done swimming. ]

Uugh, what?!

[ the shout isn't to her father, but to the unknown person on the other side of the appliance -- with her fingers busying quickly to unlock and swipe through whatever she needs to do in order to retrieve said messages. ]

[ when she gets to it, there is silence -- her eyes darting hastily to read over the messages (and looking over an image that's been attached). the fury cools by the second and her face softens as she scans on, now with her cheeks warming for an entirely different reason. jinx is trying to keep a straight face, to maintain the annoyance that clutch to her like a shadow minutes before -- but a small twitch of a smile is seeping through (despite sucking in her lips to prevent it from growing).

finally, his daughter scoffs and sets the phone back face down, muttering a "yeah right, moron" underneath her breath. as she reaches for her fork once more, a quick yet uncomfortable string hits her left temple -- sharp enough to cause her head to slant briefly. ]

S-Shaddup. It's not happening again, okay? I'm not stupid...

You are aware you can add flavouring whenever you like?

[He was used to his teenage daughter being dismissive of certain topics of conversation. He had been much the same when he was her age, perhaps even worse given his position and the lack of cohesion in the Undercity at the time when it came to political movements. No matter.

The fact that she had her phone continually going off was mildly annoying, and he knew it was only a matter of time before she couldn't ignore it. She craved friends and connection far more than he did; he had long ago resigned himself to keeping most at arm's length. His purpose here was to build a future for her, not for himself.]

You don't have to stay if you have people who wish to spend time to you. I won't be offended.

No!

[ instantly, jinx winces over how drastic and quick that flew out of her, and she bites back her bottom lip to control herself. too little, too late. his daughter shakes her head and shoos away a strand of her blue locks away from her vision of the man in front of her. she tries again, but now stumbling to make a strong sentence structure. ]

I-I mean... no. [ her gaze dip and fixates on the meal before her, steadily losing her appetite but not entirely -- thank goodness. her stomach will have revenge on her later if she decides to call it quits now. ] — I want to be with you tonight. Really, I mean it. It'll... be better for me to.

[ the last confession is quiet, but loud enough to reach her father's ears. her newly found gang have been great so far, and ethan's been... a nice distraction. but she needs to keep her distance for many reasons. for one thing, they're not even real people. jinx is aware all the locals are just some fabricated technology mumbo jumbo the council cooked up to give the chosen something to do. and second, jinx wears her heart on her sleeve whether she's self-aware about it or not, and she doesn't want to make the same mistake twice by showing her vulnerability then get crushed. especially when it comes to boys. ]

[Ah, he could understand on some level what was bothering her, and there was a lecture that he could rouse himself for if he wanted to. Instead, he let her have her space to push around her dinner at will and they could simply have some quiet moment of understanding between them. Obviously another boy, but she was taking her time. Good. At the rate she was going, he was going to have to invest in a public graveyard to hide all the corpses he'd be collecting.]

Very well. You know, I've been thinking. I don't have that old ashtray that you decorated for me here, and the one I use now is terribly plain. You should decorate it.

[He gestured at the plain black ashtray in front of him with a hand. He had recently cleaned the ash out of it, so it was rather clean. It didn't have her graffiti all over it, which he found displeasing. His office back in The Lanes had been filled with little gifts from her after all.]

What would you say to my seeing if our 'overlords' would be willing to bring The Last Drop here?

[ her gaze shift to the clean ashpan with her mental gears already spinning over what designs to choose from to make it look more festive. after she finishes with her dinner, jinx should gather all of her markers from her room upstairs, and start right on it. maybe start with that first, and then his coffee mug next.

and would he be okay with her garnishing his entire desk, too? that could be going overboard, but when has her father ever stopped her from doing anything? shoveling her meal with her silverware and thrusting it in her mouth to chew, jinx's brows fly high at the mention of the last drop -- then holds back a snort over the idea. ]

The Last Drop? Here? [ his daughter smirks doubtfully at his direction while she reaches for her glass. ] Heh, c'mon, Dad. Like that place would just fall from the sky or whatever. — And I don't think Santa can carry an entire building in his bag, either.

[ she's not trying to crush his thought, so she tries again. ]

If you can pull it off, sure. It's gonna need a cleanup, though. Vi and Sevika reeeaally did a number on it. A lotta broken everything and magic-y blade slices.

[It was basically a dereliction of duty that he missed in his own way. He had given up years ago being annoyed with her scribbles moving from paper to various items of his; some had come in the forms of gifts and others had just been decorated because she was bored. The rafters were also usually decorated with knick-knacks, bombs and mechanical parts as a sort of ambiance that put people ill at ease as they didn't know where to look.

He would be accepting if she started small - items that he owned and used often - if she didn't feel like endeavouring to decorating more than that. He would like at least something of hers that she had made for him.

He lifted his glass to his lips to drink, raising his only eyebrow at her doubt. He had observed what people had managed to bring to this place. Mounts, items, and extremely large things. Why not their old business?] Are you so certain its impossible? This place is determined to keep us 'happy' and on track when it comes to crimes, so it is reasonable that with the right kind of request, we could have whatever we want as long as we put in the work.

[He growled in annoyance to think that the beacon of Zaun had been trashed. It made sense; Vi was stupid enough to make a direct attempt against him.]

I have no issues renovating for damages. You may convert the basement to a tinker space as well if you so choose.

[ like father, like daughter, jinx too takes a sip of her drink almost identically at the same time he swigs his. except the difference between them is she makes an exaggerating gasp of satisfaction over the lovely taste. ]

But a whole building? [ she asks and emphasizing that they are talking about a structure and not something that can be carried within their hands. ] — How in the heck are they going to whip that up? Go inside your mind and look for a memory of how the place looks?

[ at her theory, she pauses as if something just dawn on her. ]

Whoa, do you think that's what they do? Just jam in our brains to get what they need from us?

[ it would make sense, given they have control her and her abilities more than just one occasion. ]

Edited 2024-05-11 19:37 (UTC)

[Silco shrugged his shoulders to her question. Why not? For him, he had brought in a whole crate of supplies, so why not escalate to a building? If it was a no, he could invest his time in recreating the Last Drop here, though it would never been the same without its unique scars and history. It would be an acceptable substitute.]

If they can create an entire town, why not a whole building? This will be a good test on if there are limitations to what we can bring to make this place more like home.

[He snorted at her question about how it would come to be, and he shrugged his shoulders. He already expected that they somehow managed to use their minds, their habits and their location to determine what it was that they could be punished with. Knowing and preventing was different.]

It’s not a completely unrealistic theory. After all, the brute blew up city hall and within a month, we had a whole new city with expanded borders, features, and a new city hall. If this is prison, and they want us to buy in to it, it makes sense to try to make us comfortable so we emotionally invest and perhaps destroy it less.

[ he is making a lot of sense, and she shovels the last remaining bits of her food before ingesting it down. the idea of having the last drop here would be a nice touch, but there is some unsettles resting on her shoulders in having some of zaun mixed up in this realm.

and she wonders if her father would be disappointed over her true thoughts of it. he hadn't shown any regret regarding her so far, so why would he start now, right? well... if she ignores the whole quentin thing. ]

I... don't want too much of Runeterra here. [ she admits finally, her words moving slow pass her lips. ] — The more it's here, the more... things will go bad again. More Pilities and... people coming after me. And junk.

[He nodded his head in understanding to her feelings on the matter. He had no interest in completely recreating Runeterra here either, but he did want a taste of home. So far, Aldrip had been less advanced and had less of what he was used to, but there were benefits to that as well. This was a new beginning, and with a lack of heavy-handed oversight, it was easier for him to move around and do what he wanted to do for the benefit of himself and his daughter.]

While I can't control those who are from Runeterra already here, they don't seem interested in bringing Zaun or Piltover here. Both have been here longer than either of us. And aside from some items that may be useful, the Last Drop is my only interest from home.

[Because the Last Drop was as close to home as he was willing to bring. It also was a beacon of power from Zaun, a meeting place of community.]

[ if the last drop all that her father wanted in this fake computerized place, then jinx doesn't see the problem with it being here — if possible. although, violet wouldn't be too keen about the whole idea. and in all honesty, she would understand why the establishment would rub her sister the wrong way.

it was vander's bar before silco took ownership, and vi was the one who was meant to take over once he had passed on. but... her sister was absent, no benzo either, and jinx was far too young to take care of the business. silco has the know all on how to make things successful — the flower shop and the restaurants are all thriving way more than they ever were.

so it made perfect sense for him to take control of all the work that no one else wanted to do. but if only her sister would see it that way. jinx holds her gaze at her father's plate of remaining leftovers, then up to him as if asking without words if she can have the rest if he's doing with his share. ]

Thing it'll come with all of our things in there too? The drinks, cups, stools, and stuff?

[This history of the Last Drop was long and twisted, but it had always been a place where people could go to enjoy themselves and ponder what life beyond having the boot of Piltover on their throats. Attempted revolutions had been whispered there for a long time. If they were going to make changes to this place, he considered the Last Drop a necessary beacon from home to do that.

He had no doubt that there would be some fight about it, if he were actually successful. Everyone had their chances, and if the sister wasn't willing to attempt the opportunity, she wasn't as brave as everyone made her out to be. Perhaps she didn't want to have to consider the hostile take-over that would occur if she did.]

That I don't know. We can hope, but it will require investigation if our keepers grant me the wish. We will know in time.

It's too bad my workshop from home can't be here.

[ it's a little unfair, but how would it get here, for starters? it was somewhere deep underground and constructed from aircraft pieces. a way to bring that into aldrip would mean digging some massive hole in the earth while, furthermore, be withdrawn from society. and if there's one thing she learned about the chosen here, is that they love to investigate and stick their noses where they don't belong.

trying to be slightly discreet, her gaze follow back to her father's half-eaten plate then to his face one more time — pulling her "puppy dog eyed" look and anticipates he will scoot his platter over her way to have. ]

We will simply have to rebuild your workshop here then. It might not be the same, but something to your likely can be arranged if you want to tinker beyond the walls of the house.

[She was a teenage girl after all, and she needed a space to decorate and go bonkers in outside of that treehouse she kept. He expected she would tinker more now that he had taken over ownership of the forge where metal was more freely available. He was slowly turning his attention to the mines, thinking there could be more ore in there that could be utilized at the forge too.

Still, if the Last Drop could be here, he did wonder about her workshop. There wasn't anywhere like it, of course. It was something to ponder.

He noted her look and didn't put up a fight when it came to the rest of his meal, pushing the plate to her without complaint. He then leaned back in his chair and opened his cigar case to pull one out for a post-meal drag or two. He lit it and enjoyed the smoke in his lungs.]

[ her eyes illuminate when the plate scoots her way, and like she hadn't eaten in weeks, jinx dives in without question. the scent of his cigar had never once bothered his daughter, if anything, the bouquet had become a tranquility of her anxiety. one click of his lighter and a whiff of his smoke, and her muscles instantly eases. sometimes when she is looming in the rafters and her distress flares in the shadows, all it takes is to hear her father suck in a drag for her world to dwindle its jumbled spinning. ]

I dunno. [ she says in a mumble. ] — It's got to be hidden. Thieves and junks.

[There was comfort knowing that she was eating. Sometimes tinkering projects took her attention for hours upon hours, sometimes even spanning into days on end. She was better about it in Aldrip where they made a point of spending dinner times together, which was a routine that he enjoyed and even looked forward to. He knew she was angry with him or thoroughly distracted if she missed this planned time.

He crossed one leg over the other as he settled into watching her finish up the meal.]

As if you wouldn't boobytrap such a place to such an extent that you'd be finding would-be thieves scattered all over the place.

[ Quite some time has passed since Miller had played darts against Silco at the party. Since, he'd figured out the identity of the daughter he was lamenting about... and after hearing some of her concerns for himself, well, let's just say he finds himself wondering how the two of them are holding up post-some murderer leaving toxic organs strewn around town. ]

Silco? It's Miller.

[Hilariously, Silco had thrived just fine in the toxic miasma, mostly because it was a reflection of where he grew up. It was nothing if not bit of home that reminded him of why he did what he did.]

It's been some time, Miller. You have survived Dara's curse, I see. To what do I owe the pleasure?

[ The extent to which it was familiar to him was unfortunately not so nostalgic. Anyway, the sentiment here is half the reason he called. ]

I wanted to make sure you and your daughter were still in one piece. The last time I spoke to her, she seemed like she was dangling on the edge of doing something outlandish...

[ What something, he doesn't know. Just that the teetering between trusting him and then threatening to hurt him was a bit uncomfortable to observe. ]

I take it you've managed to avoid that so far.

[Excellent, so Miller and Jinx had met. That made things far less complicated.]

Ah, you have met my daughter, Jinx. Yes, we both had no issues with the air quality or snakes, and Jinx on the verge of outlandish is her normal state of being.

[Said like a father who didn't care if anyone agreed or not.]

Yes, we have become acquainted...

[ There is clearly some unsaid type of feeling for him in saying so, as though perhaps he is thinking about if he should be expressing more concern. But far be it for him to question what's normal for her more than her own father, so he'll take that unperturbed response as a good thing and leave it at that. ]

But glad to hear it! What have you been keeping yourself busy with, my friend?

I expect you know where some of my concerns over her choices come from.

[He would have to ask Jinx how that meeting went on her end and know what they had talked about. It would be interesting if they would be able to get along, though he recognized that Jinx was a lot when it came to the long term.]

Formulating seeing if I can bring a fond memory from home here. And you?

[What was this friend title?]

I didn't want to say it, but yes... though I heard that her boyfriend has gone missing.

[ Maybe that part wasn't the worst news for Silco...

As for "friend," there is little meaning behind it. He would refer to nearly anyone he saw as his peer in the same casual way. Though admittedly there are few others here he can view that way simply due to their respective ages. ]

I am still trying to gather intel. It is more difficult than it should be to organize any concerted efforts. Too many here fall prey to their frustration and make big, sweeping moves, and then I am forced to deal only with the matter at hand. [ The miasma was one, but that came just on the tail end of a month of forgetting who he was. ] What do you mean by bring a memory?

He has, thankfully. If we are fortunate, he will not return and she will find someone who treats her with respect.

[Silco had known very quickly, mostly because he was ground zero when Jinx was upset and tended to be her emotional support. He simply had to hide his pleasure of Quentin being gone for the most part.

That was not a term he was used to being applied to him, and he found it confusing. One game of darts and they had built an association? For him, friends were... dangerous. His last one had threatened to murder him and the one before that had actually tried to murder him. He supposed the doctor was someone he could call a friend, but he more considered them allies who supported one another's larger goals.]

Oh, you've noticed that, have you? Yes, for all the 'detectives' that we have here, there is a rather dubious lack of public information about our situation. Simply tidbits and breadcrumbs on occasion. However, the last youthful outburst caused a reset of the city. [There was a lot of explosive tempers, which he had no issue using.] One can wish for something from home and if we are lucky, that wish will be granted and it will appear the next day. I am going to see if I can request a business from my home.

It is probably for the best.

[ Normally, he would be completely gung-ho to agree with him on that just because of his personal familiarity with keeping his own daughter safe from untrustworthy men. That is harder to do though after he heard how Jinx felt about it personally. ]

I didn't know that was a regular occurrence here before. People disappearing. I don't know if it's a good idea to get ourselves too attached.

[ Of course, he is more referring to Jinx getting attached to someone else, not himself personally. He has lost so many people in his life that the notion is more of another hurdle than it is a fear. Regarding the detective work, for one. Add it to the list of things that might get in the way.

In any case. ]

This is new to me as well. Is it supposed to be a reward for good behavior or something? The thought of kissing their asses like that really makes me sick... but I still can't say it's wrong to take advantage of that if we are able. What type of business is this?

Indeed, people come and go fairly regularly. Still, the Chosen population tends to grow rather than contract since I arrived here. Attachments always come with risks.

[On that front, he and Miller were the same. He limited the attachments that he formed since he was a young man, and he had no reason to start changing that tactic even being in a new place. After all, everyone wanted something from someone else, and it was a matter of deciding if the price was worth the product that was received.]

I am coming to believe it might be a reward for integrating into their prison system. If you have something from home, perhaps you'll be better behaved in the long run. If you have something you value, maybe you won't break everything. [People with something to lose would find ways to keep it after all, or if they couldn't have it, they'd burn everything around them.] It's a bar where I'm from. It's been in my city since before I was a boy.

Yes... You get used to such a thing. It is unfortunate that all the young people here will have to start learning that. I feel that it would be a mistake to rely on any constant in this place, so we cannot fear whatever may come next...

[ Fear wouldn't be the word to describe his own feelings—over-vigilance might be better—but there is certainly some part of that statement that comes from examining his own approach to it. Having your memories forcibly ripped from you and then so haphazardly returned really gives a man a reality check.

It also gives him a bit more lenience to this idea of appreciating the few pleasures they can find, even if in this case, the means isn't the best. He can't help himself in sharing his opinion on that. ]

I am sure that is the case. There seems to be some concerted effort to make us play their game willingly. They have already shown they have no trouble with repairing anything we break, so the only point in giving us these bargaining chips is to manipulate us. [ —But once he takes a breath from his little rant there... ] Well, I am still glad that you are able to put it to good use. It sounds like it must be a nice place, for you to remember it so fondly.

They seem mildly adaptable, but they are still young and easily drawn into heroics which ends poorly for many of them. I've seen that at least twice so far, and I expect you will endure their repeat performances soon enough.

[He was not about to put himself at risk that often if he could help it. He would allow the heroics of the young, but he knew better than to let his guard down either. They had to be vigilant in order to be prepared for whatever else came their way as a means to get them to fall in line or repent for their sins. Maybe some appreciated the memory change to be someone else. He did not.]

Exactly. They have to be leaning towards earning a different measurable benefit if they provide us things and allow us to work for more. Perhaps they hope we'll settle in and not question things. [Oh he would. He had big plans for the bar.] It's an acquired taste for some, but you're welcome to see for yourself. I'll see to it that you're provided a free drink of your choice.

I am sure you are right...

[ As unhappy as he sounds about that, the brevity of the response is because it is clearly futile to dwell on it more. Silco is not the intended audience for such gripes anyway.

And more to the point, he probably should not squander this show of kindness on more time wasted thinking about the Council's motives. And isn't having a bar run by one of their own great for morale, as well? Miller exhales heavily upon the seeming change in tune. ]

How could I turn that offer down? I will be there. You can count on it. Do you already have the opening date planned?

I usually am on such things, unfortunately.

[Or very fortunately. He had been using teenage boys for years to be spies and part of gangs to bring him information, and he could always count on their dumb idea of heroics to get them into trouble. It wasn't their fault; they thought themselves more than what they were for such a young age and life lessons came with plenty of beatings if one got it wrong. This place was no different.

He announced the bar and planned on keeping it on the down low that he now also had a controlling interest in the forge. It was all coming together, and it seemed caused for celebration. After all, he could funnel his winnings in through the businesses and no one should be any wiser.]

Close to the end of the month, I'm afraid. The place experienced quite the shake up before it came here thanks to someone picking a fight with my old second in command. The renovations are quite extensive, and I want to do it right if I'm to do it at all.

Hello, my name is BANANA BANDIT. Jinx is now accepting calls and messages. If you wish to send a message, please text NOW or call her device. This is an automatic message.🐵

Dinner is at seven if you wish to join me.

whats for dinner?

Tuna melt and salad.

[Salad is left over from one of the restaurant.]

sounds good.

[ 'don't ask, it'll show you give a crap. don't ask, it'll show you give a crap... ]

what have u been eating while i was gone?

[ 'dammit' ]

Left overs from the seafood shack.

[He knows 'whiskey' is the wrong answer at this point in his life.]

You've been taken care of yourself with the brute? Or is it the girl you antagonize this time?

[ at least it's good food. the next message has her heart skip a beat, and she reads over it a few times before answering. ]

yea. ive been with ragna.

Good. I know you're safe with that one.

he lives in a church now. its really pretty.

Plenty of places to sleep then. Is he becoming devout?

i dont think so. he still acts pretty much the same.

Edited 2024-05-20 16:22 (UTC)

Did he have no where else to live but the church?

he had a place but i guess he just likes the church more.

An interesting choice but to each their own. Are you going to continue to stay at the church?

no.

Coming home again or staying with someone else?

[He'll make certain the sheets and blankets were laundered either way.]

[ she should say staying with someone else, since he and vi want to be idiots. but she... misses him, and hates the thought of being away from him for this long. ]

im coming home.

Good. I'm looking forward to it.

[He knew she wouldn't stay away for too long. He knew to give her space when she needed it too.]

[ he is looking forward to it? ]

ive missed u.

I know. I missed you as well. So far, no where keeps us apart long, so that is a boon.

[ just reading that he misses her too cools her angered heart, and she finds herself smiling. ]

are u due for a shave? hows ur hair?

Edited 2024-05-20 18:05 (UTC)

Does it displease you to think I might grow some facial hair? Hair is mildly shaggy. Have you brushed the tangles out of yours lately?

no, but u'll get all itchy! thats why i shave my legs. want me to cut it? and nope, too lazy.

Only for the few days then the itchiness eases. I assumed you shaved to avoid catching fire more easily. I wouldn't refuse the offer. I will brush your hair out as well when you come home.

u think if my legs catch on fire, ill feel it?

If you're on fire, you'll know.

not always!! hey. u know. u never did tell me why i couldnt give people my shimmer blood to heal them. what would happen? will they die?

They can have an extreme reaction and die, yes. If they need the value of Shimmer, give them Shimmer.

oh... even if a person is used to the shimmer? like u?

It's the blood not the Shimmer. As the doctor has explained it to me, mixed blood can be dangerous. Not everyone is compatible with everyone else.

thats dumb. what good is my shimmer if i cant help u?

Your shimmer is for you to use, and you know where my stock of it is to help me should it be required.

i know.

[ ... ]

tonight is going to be a super father/daughter night, ok?

Isn't that most of our father/daughter nights?

[No, they were tame. Maybe they went out on the town now and again.]

maaaybe. but tonight is going to be SUPER special!

You have something planned then?

u bet! when i get home, and after we eat dinner, ure going to feel like a new man and super relaxed!

Is that so? You're the only one I would trust with a razor that close to my throat.

yep yep yep! im going to go out and buy all the best stuff! the best razors, best scissors, best shaving cream, best after shave cream, the best solution, all the fancy stuff.

I don't need fancy. Just effective.

too bad. fancy and effective is on the menu.

Fine. Pick up some fancy shampoo and conditioner for you.

ok!! hey what if i hire someone to give me massages? would u be ok with that???

That's fine. Find someone you can trust or is disposable should they cross you.

ure so funny!! u should get one too, but i have to check them out first.

I'll pass. Enjoy yourself.

[He didn't let people touch him much if he could help it.]

ok fiiiiiiiiiine. ill give u one. ill rub your shoulders.

Acceptable I suppose.

great! im packing my stuff as we speak then leaving raggies place.

Very well. I will begin to get dinner prepared.

[ ooc: funny enough, the date of this text thread is the same date as the ai's network post. and not wanting to overflow the mod's network post with our thread, combining this + the private thread together. so anyway, A LITTLE LATER as the subject line suggested. ]

i dont know who is the administrator of that system, maybe the council, but. it has dirt on me and it wont let me access it. i tried to look up information about myself, and it said data was restricted. when i tried to push further, my phone glitched and weird random stuff like numbers and words that i couldnt make out showed up. and it told me if i keep pushing, itll ban me from the network entirely.

Edited 2024-05-22 20:59 (UTC)

It likely had dirt on everyone here. I expect that a direct attempt against the system is not the way to go, but that information is important as it could be using to moderate behaviours. A group effort on information retrieval may be necessary.

no its different. ange was able to get information about herself. u know her name, her age, her crime, and her birthday. i cant even get that. theres something... wrong. why is everything about me classified?

You're far more infamous, I would say. Consider it a compliment.

but what if theres something wrong with me? what if im really sick and i dont know it? orim not reale ither like all of these nobodies? waht if i got swappedout with another me an dim not ur daughter? what if im powder? what about the mosnters? what if they know when the monstersa re going to strike next and get me?

Edited 2024-05-23 18:08 (UTC)

Powder is dead; I would know the difference. And there is nothing wrong with you.

u promise? super super promise?

I promise.

ok... im probably overthinking things again.

We keep each other level headed.

yea. we do. im at the store now. ill try not to take too long! 💗

Good. I await your return.

[It's one of those windy evenings in the Aldrip when the sky is entirely covered in the dark grey clouds, forbidding any rays of light pass through. The woods are very loud, with the leaves rustling against each other in a violent chorus. Somewhere in the distance a crow cries out.

"-- To announce the age of misfortune."

Richard is crouched under a big grandfather oak, digging the dirt with his hands. The tree trunk is marred with fresh cuts and slashes from the sword that's discarded next to him. Clearly, he's had yet another 'moment', allowed something to control his mind once again. But this time it wasn't Joan, but something else. An eerie voice that never left him alone.

" A prophecy, then--"]

Shut up! [He screams out, hand swiftly grabbing his knife from his belt to stab the device in the hole. It's a tablet, one that definitely has definitely seen better days. The screen is cracked, missing small bits and pieces and the edges are rough and scratched. Seems like Richard has been really determined his goals to destroy the damn thing, but never quite succeeded as it kept beeping with a distorted sound.

And once again, the knife only brought another crack on the surface but the damn thing kept just making noises.

So, clearly this leaves him with the second best option: to bury the damn thing.]

[The forest wasn't that interesting to him; he had grown up and lived in the dark confines of the caves with their occasional bioluminescence but mostly the rough feel of rocks and the noise of industry. The forest was fine with its fresh air and ability to block violent winds and such, but it wasn't the cave system that most people tended to avoid. For him, the cave was a quiet darkness to think, and he had explored them extensively since his arrival.

It required a walk through the forest to get to them, of course, which was what drew him into the woods. Of course, his path was changed at the sound of voices, which might not be so unusual. There were enough forest loving people to have secret meetings or whatever, but he thought he recognized one voice in particular.

Silco moved out from around a large oak tree to spy Richard stabbing at something in a hole in the dirt. At first, he drank in the scene, and he suspected that the younger man was experiencing an episode; he didn't know Richard well enough to have confidence that violence would be immediately turned on him if he approached. It was a recklessness he wasn't about to risk even if curiosity kept him there. He instead, leaned against the tree with his shoulder, hands tucked in his coat pockets as Richard begins to bury whatever caused the disturbance.

Was that a tablet? If it wasn't, it sounded like regular programming nothing particularly interesting or deprave. Yet, he clued in that for someone who suffered voices, it might be triggering. Had he ever seen Richard on the network? No, he definitely had not.]

Richard. [He remained casual, in control.] Do you require some assistance? It's Silco, by the way. From the restaurant. We shared a drink a bit ago.

[Silco's voice cuts through the air, ripping apart the darkness like a blade through a cloth. With a quick movement Richard whips his around, looking up from the ground, covered in dirt and grime. The one visible eye is staring wildly at the man, pupil wide as a plate.

There's an ugly twist in his stomach, making his stomach tense up and grip on the dagger tighten. For a moment, he forgets about the cursed device in the hole as his whole attention is directed at the older man lounging close by.

Oh no. He could feel the danger creeping near.]

..Why are you here?

[He remained calm and still leaning on the oak next to him even as Richard whipped around to view him. He made a show of removing his hands from his pockets to show that they were empty, palms up. Someone in a paranoid delusion would likely strike out if they expected a threat; how many times had Jinx stabbed him over the last six or so years?]

I was passing through the area when I heard you call out. I wanted to be certain you were not experiencing an attack.

[He gestured with his left hand in the direction of the caves, which had been his intended location. Now he would be waylaid, but he currently didn't mind.]

So I ask again: do you require some assistance?

[The distressed eye follows to look at Silco's hands briefly before focusing back on the discolored eyes. The frown deepens on his face as if he has a difficulties following with the logic. Him? An attack? How ridiculous.

The tablets makes a desperate sound in the hole, trying to inform Richard from yet another notification. Though, it might seem like the small, beaten up machine was trying to beg help and for Silco to save it from this weird burial ritual that Richard was currently performing.]

No. I am alright. [He informs the other, as if this was perfectly normal situation to be caught at.]

[Silco nodded his head at the assurance that everything was fine, and then he pushed off of leaning on the tree. He began to walk forward then, since it seemed that there was lesser chance of being stabbed with a knife or... that sword over there. He noted the marks cut into the tree bark, and he nodded his head in appreciation. In Zaun, he had a forge creating all manner of martial weapons, and swords were a favourite of some Zaunites.]

Good. You come out to the woods to practice with bladed weapons, then?

[He stopped near the hole, enough that he could look to see the contents aside from dirt. A damaged sad looking tablet was half buried, and he made a noise in his throat.]

That can be quite helpful if you know how to use it.

[With his lips sealed tightly shut Richard stays quiet as he watches the man approach. His hand still stays on his knife's handle, but at least he doesn't make any moves or whatsoever? Instead he's frozen on the ground, staring up like a deer caught in the headlights.

He can't understand why this man is still here? Coming towards him and talking to him. It makes no sense to him. Shouldn't he be leaving rather than to step in the demon's presence?]

I--, what? [He too, casts a glance down on the hole and the flickering tablet. What is useful? His sword or this thing.] I don't follow you.

[Unperturbed by the hairy eyeball that Richard was throwing his way, Silco continued to look in the hole with the partially buried tablet. He could understand how someone not used to technology could be frightened of the voices, the images and the alerts. Jinx had had to spend time teaching him how to use it properly, and he still preferred ink and paper personally.

He eased into a crouch and reached into the hole to pull out the tablet. He overturned it so that dirt fell back into the hole then he pressed a few of the screen buttons to silence the alerts. He rose again, dusting off more dirt from the edges.]

This. It allows you to connect to the other Chosen, as one might with a ink and paper. This just happens to be instantaneous. [The screen was badly damaged, so it still chirped a bit.]

[Despite the damage that has been done to poor tablet it still responds to Silco's touch, functioning just as it should aside from the alarms sounding a little wonky. Who knew that the tablets of Aldrip were actually this durable!

Richard's own eyes narrow when Silco picks up the device, breath stopping in his throat.] A witch's mirror. [He says with a quiet and hoarse voice. That's what he had thought the device to be. An cursed object, showing him unwanted visions. But once the words leave his lips he just realizes how foolish that thought sounds now. He had seen about everyone holding one, sometimes talking into them and receiving a responses in a distorted voices.

He feels an immense frustration to overwhelm him, darkening his expression. Gritting his teeth, Richard finally sheathes his knife back on its scabbard that is strapped on his belt and reaches out to his sword to do the same. Once he's done with that he stands up, briefly dusting off his cape from the dirt.]

It will not shut up.

[Silco inclined his head towards the accusation, and he didn't actually disagree. He pressed a few buttons to open the setting and silence the alarms and announcements. He preferred the silence except for very specific people.] It's an unfortunate cursed item that can track everything we say and do, yes. I personally prefer ink and paper for my dealings, but I'm woefully in the minority.

[He felt no need to shame Richard about the lack of knowledge when it came to the technology. He had the impression that such things didn't exist in the younger man's time. He did file the information away to potentially use against Richard later of course. It would be stupid not to acknowledge another man's weakness to be exploited.

He moved over to Richard as the younger man put away weapons.]

I'll show you how to silence it. Unless you would prefer not to know a few things about it?

[Richard is about to reach his hand out to Silco to get his tablet back, but halts at that description. Something that tracks their movements and words -- that definitely sounds like a malignant curse, like a shadow. Like Joan, Richard thinks to himself.

All of the sudden he really doesn't want to have anything to do with it.]

Tell me. Why do people compromise their safety and use it willingly? Have the people of this world gone truly mad?

[He came to a stop next to Richard, holding out the tablet so the younger man could at least see the screen. He kept it in his own hands, expecting the screen might earn another stabbing or two if he handed it over without showing a few features first.]

Because those familiar with these devices accept the dangers of its use. They prefer the convenience it grants them and so the information that it provides our keepers is an acceptable loss. After all, most 'gods' know where you are and what you're doing otherwise how would they be able to judge your actions?

[He shrugged his shoulders. Maybe he was stretching with the analogy, but he was going to run with it anyway. It seemed to easiest method to at least convince Richard to look at it.]

Besides, perhaps someday we will use this to strike back at those that control us here. I think that's the hope anyway.

[Honestly, that analogy might just as well be the best way to reach Richard's small brain, which is still so unused to the idea of technology. He frowns upon seeing his reflection disappear from the cracked surface of the tablet as it lights up back in the action.

So, a gift from the 'gods' of this world? That would explain a thing or two. Like how it knew his name and responded to his touch and voice. Although, to Richard it seemed more of a double-edged sword. And besides, there were always false-gods lurking to prey on the hunger of the men, luring them away from the path of light and righteousness. ]

So, a deal with the devil is what you're suggesting. [Somehow Richard felt like he could live with that. The frown on his face shifts, turning into a small smile of satisfaction at the thought.] Very well, I shall learn if you are willing to teach.

[He certainly wasn't going to fight Richard when it came the tablet. If the younger man truly wanted to bury it in the ground, he didn't mind at all. It meant that there was an easier way to feed information to Richard, or alternatively, keep the man in the dark. For someone who had ambition, a lack of trusted information could be very detrimental to getting that ambition off the ground.

They had to learn, and they had to adapt.]

To be here, apparently we are all tainted with some crime. Perhaps unconsciously, we all made that deal with the devil - as you call it - to come here to live. [It was better than being dead in his opinion, so he would remain.] Of course I shall teach you. If afterwards you still want nothing to do with it, bury it deep in the dirt.

[He then proceeded to explain what he knew of the tablets, how they worked, their different modes, sending private messaging, searching people's inboxes and scrolling through the various messages available. He made no opinion on the content of posts or comments, of course.]

There is no man without a sin. [That fact had been hammered on him and his brothers since very young age -- just as was the rest of the god fearing population. They might be blessed with divine blood, yes, but that did not mean that they were untouched by the mistakes of the man. That's why they had to lead with just and righteous heart, pray for guidance and beg for forgiveness. Something that Richard had always failed to do. Why would he? If the sin he carried with him was too unforgivable even for the God, then why waste his time kneeling down in front of the altar.

But he truly was still god-fearing man, and this world with its strange devices and mirrors scared him so. Not being unable to understand what was in front of him had led him to cower in the darkness, looking to bury the sources of his anxiety and fears. Like a silly child.

He listens to Silco's explanation, trying his best to grasp on the knowledge presented in front of him. It was a lot, and there still was much that he didn't quite understand, but with the basics laid out in front him he did feel like he could navigate through this network of confusion. Maybe.]

This is now the second time you have aided me. [The second time Silco's helped him through the darkness, coaxed him out of the depths of his mind back to the light. And... it didn't sit well with Richard. It made him feel too raw and open, to have someone see the vulnerability of his soul like this. ]

Edited 2024-05-26 20:03 (UTC)

[Once he had explained as much as he could without getting to the absolutely nitty-gritty details of the operation of the device - that he knew of anyway - Silco offered the tablet back to Richard to take. Explanation was one thing, but the only way to truly learn was to do of course. Practice and opportunities to spy on the open thoughts of the Chosen.]

It wouldn't be worthwhile to allow another man with ambition to flounder in the dark and not be able to utilize similar methods of information gather as I do. [He gazed steadily at Richard with his mismatched eyes, not at all phased with the idea of being owed a favour or two.] Information is currency for ambition. I want to see what you are going to do.

[He pointed at the tablet.] Now, let's have you send a message. A little practice will hopefully assist you in understanding the function to use for yourself.

[Richard's not sure whether he agrees with the sentiment. He'd rather clip wings off those who he perceived too similar to himself, who he would consider as potential threat in the future. Make them weak and desperate, so that they can't resist his offerings of mercy and love. Of course, as of now he has no reason to become a thorn on Silco's path. He is just as interested, if not even more, to see what of the man's ambition will led him as his companion seems to be.

He takes the tablet back, the dirt covered gloves clumsily sliding across the fractured screen.]

To who?

[Silco had no interest - currently - of making Richard his enemy, which meant that he was willing to give the man a hand up rather than a smack down. Besides, Richard was entertaining, and he was convinced that he could deal with the younger man should things get a bit out of hand. After all, it wasn't as if Richard was going to flounce over to all the moral heroes of this place and join their ranks, if the younger man's previous words were anything to be believed.

He stepped closer so they were not quite touching but only so that he could continue to see the screen.]

Send one to me. That way we will know it worked. You remember how to search an account by name, yes?

[Richard knits his brows into a concentrated frown as he looks down at the tablet and tries to remember how Silco had done it just a moment ago. He gives a few rough and awkward taps on the screen with his index finger before he figures out how to open the address menu. The way he navigates around the tablet really looks janky and uncoordinated, you know. It's like watching your grandparent figuring out the facebook for the first time. Well, either way, after a little struggle he does manage to find Silco's name and even open the direct message menu.

With his lips pursed tightly together he taps the keyboard on the screen. What is he supposed to even write here? It feels weird and unnatural, especially with the man himself standing next to him.]

a

[and sent. totally nailed it.]

[It was painful to watch, but Silco this was exactly what it felt like for Jinx to teach him new things on technology. She made a show about griping about it of course, loud and showy at how slow he was, but he was assured that once he learned the skill, he would be fine with it. This was what it was to be behind the times, that's all. He still preferred ink and paper, and he would die on that hill.

The message sent... and nothing. Silco was still reaching into his coat to pull out his tablet and pulled up the screen. It lit up with new message on the screen, which he tapped on. He turned the screen to show it to Richard.]

And now you know how send messages. If you speak to people on the open network, it's easier to send them a private message.

[He tucked his tablet away again into his coat, tugging it edges of the fabric back into place.]

If you would prefer to communicate a different method with me, I will oblige.

[In a way did this seem like a herculean task to go through, and yet it didn't leave him with a sense of victory. Just a vague headache from the frustration and overly focused attention. He hated how unnatural and alienating using the device felt. And to think that people used these things on daily basis.

But if this was required of him in order to survive? Very well. He'll play along.

Richard sighs as he looks up from the tablet, nodding briefly.]

Yes. I believe that the regular and more secure method would be wiser if you wish to keep contacting me. I would hate the idea of someone reading my words without my consent. I believe you feel the same.

[Practice would make perfect, and while he didn't think he or Richard were going to be Aldrip's finest when it came to the use of the tablets, it was better than burying it in the dirt. At least he now knew he could contact Richard should he wish to, assuming this lesson went to heart and was reinforced with practice.

Everyone needed to be adaptable.]

Very well. I will send written letters to you whenever possible.

[Of course, there was danger in those with interceptions and being unable to track if someone else had read. That limited what they would have to talk about, but it would be convenient to arrange for meeting up for verbal discussions. Those could be guaranteed a higher rate of privacy at least.]

I shall leave you to return to your skills training then? Unless you wish to accompany me to the caves?

[Richard looked the man up and down, questioning in his mind the lack of the weapons on his person. In the city he somewhat could understand person not carrying a blade but out in the wilderness? Now that seems foolish.]

I shall accompany you. [As a reward for helping him out -- and partly because he feared the voices that would chase him, if he were to be left alone.]

[Silco stood for the inspection, raising the only eyebrow he possessed questionably. His coat hid more than his tablet, but it was best to let others underestimate what he was capable of. He didn't fight much, least of all face-to-face unless he absolutely had to, but he could if his life was in danger. Still, a man who knew their way around a sword was handy to have, unless they potentially suffered from delusions.

No matter.]

As you wish. Once you have all your items, we can go. Have you been to the caves before? They have scaly beasts in them if you explore far enough, but I tend to avoid direct confrontation with them.

[It's nothing personal, Silco. Just that your appearance doesn't really strike out to him that all threatening, despite your somewhat impressive height.

Besides, all the talk about business and working in the shadows without mention of past battles makes Richard doubt his skills as a warrior. A lot of men were like that, he's coming to realize. Most of them place foolish amount of trust in their own sense of invincibility, trusting enough that their status -- be it of wealth or name, keeps them safe and untouchable. Such nonsensical illusions, something that Richard himself had robbed off at very young age and resulting him to train his small body day and night. ]

That so? Pity. I would not mind seeing you fending off such beasts. [Said with hints of amusement in his voice. Then, he glances down at the tablet in his hand, feeling a little unsure what to do with the thing, seeing that he doesn't really have pockets for the thing in his outfit. Well, guess he's going to carry it in his hands.] Lead the way.

[Silco hired people to do the violence for him, but there were special subjects that required his personal attention. He wasn't afraid to give it in such cases, but honestly, he was more the stab-you-in-the-back type to protect himself as those he went up against tended to be more physical than he was. He wasn't offended that people might think he couldn't and wouldn't be able to defend himself.]

Would you? I don't think my knife would do much against their scales. [At least he did have a weapon on him, tucked hidden in his coat.] Perhaps you'll show me your skills with that sword of yours. If you've been to war, I imagine it's tasted much blood.

[Once Richard seemed to have everything, Silco turned and began to walk into the forest again, stepping over roots and pushing through the underbrush. He found a game trail to follow and began to walk along that.]

My violence tends to be personal in nature. Close and intimate they would say.

[Richard follows Silco while keeping two steps worth of distance between them, just to see whether the man was trusting enough to keep his back turned at a stranger. Someone he knows is armed and whom he had not too long ago recognized to be another monster.

There was nothing quite like smell of freshly spilled blood on the battlefield. Feeling the way one's sword cut through flesh while also painting the ground in deep, dark red as the bodies piled up after him. The heavy and hard steel wrapped around his body - becoming one with the blade. It all brought strange comfort to Richard unlike any other. Most of his life had been filled in gruesome and ruthless battles and death. And yet, never had he thought any of it to intimate. Ugly, wretched, miserable and even personal, yes. But intimate?]

Death and violence are always ugly business, even when they're necessary. [He says eventually with a thoughtful voice. He couldn't help but think back to his brothers. Richard had seen both of them right before their deaths, kissing away their fears and speaking the false comfort to their ears like a grim reaper himself. He supposes, that in those one could find some intimacy]

[For his part, Silco didn't allow any sign of discomfort affect him as he walked. In their previous associations, Richard had had plenty of opportunities to murder him and hadn't taken them, and he doubted the forest would be any different unless there was a mental crisis to create the younger man lashing out at him or anything. For now, he was content to take the lead and let Richard follow; he was in the better position to know where to go and his confidence never wavered.

He did, however, look back on occasion to check on Richard and be certain he hadn't lost the younger man along the way as they began to cover more ground and move further from town. He wondered if Richard would appreciate the caves as much as he did; so far, he expected only his daughter liked them similarly.]

Where I'm from, there is a legend that if one runs from death then it comes to them violent and ugly. Those that accept death are taken with an arrow of light that takes them beyond the ugliness in an instance. [His death had been violent but not because of him; he technically had been mostly immobile when the bullets had struck him. He accepted it though, wanting to comfort his daughter instead.] Knives are personal. You have to be close to land the blow unless you're good a throwing them, I suppose.

I believe in such legend. All men are weak before their ultimate end, only those who are able to meet their last moments without regrets or grudges holding them back.

[After all, did not every man out there fear for their soul and would rather prevent meeting the final judgement if possible. There had been those who had seemingly faced their death with pride and bravery in their spirit, but still cried and cowered in front of the certainty of it. Not even Richard was safe from such fears. He had escaped and fooled death countless times, relentlessly refusing to die despite the fate sending reaper after him time after time. And once his time eventually came, he was sure that it not be a peaceful end but a miserable battle. Richard would not go down without a fight, no matter what.]

Any blade is good in hands of a skilled user. And yet even more deadly when handled by an inexperienced hands. [Needless to say, sword is Richard preferred weapon. But he did find knives to be rather useful in certain situations.] So, I take that you do not spill the blood by yourself if there is no dire reason for it?

When I died, I only had eyes for my daughter. I had no regrets about my life, though I am pleased to continue on in this place.

[There had been many times in his life where he had been afraid, slipping out of the various situations that could have led to his death. That was the life of someone from the Undercity. The Kindred was never too far behind on their heels. He had died the same way that Vander had - saving his daughter - and that irony was not lost on him in the same way realizing he would give up his dreams to protect his family was the same as Vander.

Either way, he had no reason to go back to that silence again. No, he'd manufacture a reason to keep this rehabilitation centre going if he had to, especially if the AI was not able to lie.]

It always depends on how they employ the blade, and it depends on the situation in which it is employed. War requires a different set of skills compared to a cramped alley. [He paused as he walked to look behind him at Richard.] I spill blood for myself and when a situation is important enough to require my personal hand. Otherwise, I used to have people to spill it on my behalf. Do... Kings not order others to spill blood on their behalf? [He only had history books, and what good were they to actually tell the truth of it?]

[Ah. That piece of information does make Richard look up properly, eyes focusing on the back of the man's head. When he had first arrived to Aldrip, Richard had thought the place to be hell. His thoughts, however, were quickly dismissed as foolish. How could this be the hell if none of them were dead. True enough, he could feel his heart still beat within his ribcage. Part of him wanted to reach out to touch Silco again just to see whether it was the same for him.

He's not going to ask the cause of the man's death. It'd feel like trespassing, just like inquiring the crime written under his name. But one thing he's certain of: that Silco is a good father. Richard knows plenty of men who never thought of their children when looking at the face of the death. He was sure that his own had thought of him, and that idea alone brought him comfort.]

They do have have royal executioners working for them. But there are instances when circumstances are too complicated for that. [Sometimes The King himself needed to be the one to take the action rather than leave it to his servants]

Me and my brothers were born into civil war. For far too long we had been ruled by an inadequate king, until my noble father decided to rebel against the Lancaster dynasty and bring light back to our house. He was captured in battle and killed in the most humiliating and wretched way. We brothers swore revenge and to fulfill his dream. After that each kill in the war was personal. Every faceless soldier who we cut down represented the hatred of vengeance upon the red rose and the undying loyalty of the white rose.

[Silco remembered his death just as he remembered when he had washed up here with wounds that corresponded to the ones that had killed him in Zaun. They had not been mortal wounds, but they had taken weeks to heal on their own, and he bore the scars to remind him that bullets had torn through his body. The pain of healing had felt very real, but he expected this place intended it that way so that he would reform. He did what he had to in order to survive and carve out a niche for himself and his daughter.

He was bless that she was here with him, and that she had no intention of leaving either. He had no doubt that she would someday soon find Richard and take the man's measure in her own way. Jinx had a habit of putting the screws to the new people. He'd let them meet naturally for now.]

Executions sound like a way to stir up a populous as much as it is to punish for misdeeds. [He expected that Noxus performed executions. They seemed the type to lean into the extreme habits.] Sometimes the best course is simply to do it yourself.

[He turned where he stood to face Richard again, considering the life story that was being offered. He would never turn down free information on a person.] And what humiliating way would that be, if I may intrude to ask? [He wondered how it compared to some of the ways people accidentally or purposefully died in Zaun. Yet, that wasn't that important compared to the next part, and he found himself watching Richard with a keen interest.] So you fought a war with your family to overthrow those you didn't deserve to rule over you and yours?

[Maybe he was off base. Maybe not.] I know what that's like.

[Public executions do have several purposes, yes. It is not only a showcase of power and divine judgement, but also works as an entertainment for the peasants while also providing them a target for their anger and dissatisfaction. It was a careful political weapon to be used appropriately, without abusing its power too much, to control the population and the narrative. It is quite interesting that the council has not utilized it yet.]

I would rather not to speak of the day in further detail and have that precious man's memory be overshadowed by the shame. [Because in truth, the memory was permanently imprinted in Richard's mind, oozing out the hurt and anguish like a freshly cut wound that would not just stop bleeding. It had been the day when Richard first time had the taste of the hell. Being abandoned by his mother to enemy camp, his first kill, escaping the death's clutches not once but twice, desperately clinging on life as he dragged his exhausted body through the dark woods. All just to rush at his father's side, only to find out his cut up and defiled body put on a display. A frozen kiss.]

You could say that, yes. It was father's spirit that guided us through the war, leading us to be victorious. After obtaining the crown from the false king I personally made sure that there was no Lancaster left alive to rebel against us. [Half-truth and half-lie. The War of Roses was common knowledge in his own world, its recognized through the other superpowers in Europe. He did not mind retelling the story, especially when he could leave out his own forbidden transgressions and dealings with the enemy king -- whom he had once foolishly looked as replacement for the light that his father had once provided. Who's blood he still keeps alive in his own castle, in form of a young boy calling him 'a father.'] What of your war?

[Anger and dissatisfaction were dangerous when there was a mob to form. People with less were not ones to sit idle, and the rebellion was around every corner of using up a populous. Work them hard and they might be too tired to fight back for a time, but eventually, they would muster the energy for change. Fear helped to keep the masses in line, but so too did promises of something better. A fine line to travel for those who held power.]

I find it interesting you speak of his death as shame, when he likely had little choice in how he met his final moments. Those decisions sound as if they were taken from him, or he leaned into them to mitigate the agony of his circumstances. [He wouldn't know, of course. Death was death and how others decided to view it sounded to him like a them problem. After all, death and its circumstances were usually a result of poor choices or unforeseen consequences.]

I see, so you wiped out the last of the bloodline to stamp out future trouble. [That sounded distinctly like how Noxus dealt with their changes of regime. It gave him an idea of what he was dealing with should Richard consider rising to power here. The man clearly had the capacity to try to stamp out future trouble.] My city is a slave to another, used and held under thumb. It's more complicated than that, of course, but there are clear benefits to one city over the other when it comes to resources. My war was to pull my city and its oppressed people out from under the thumb of the other, and I was willing to do anything for that goal in my lifetime. [Except when he ran head first into a single limitation that cost him... everything.]

Careful. [He says, voice suddenly dropping from the previous casual, conversational tone to more lower and dangerous one.] While I might feel some respect and gratitude towards you I will not hesitate find out just how intimate and personal my blade can be with that tongue of yours if you dare to speak ill of my father.

[Ok, to be fair towards Silco, he hadn't spoken badly of the man. However, the subject was very sore to Richard and he would make a good of the threat if he was given any reason to expect any disrespecting and unfavorable feelings towards his father. And it was that gratitude and lingering positive feelings he held for Silco that made Richard give out the warning. Because even now, the man somehow managed to be one of the few people who he Richard felt comfortable to be around and would not want to lose it for time being.]

Hope is dangerous thing. I merely made sure that any surviving Lancaster supporter would not ever again dream of going against my brother's throne. [Again. All the bloodshed and cruelty just to ensure the safety of Edward's claim on the crown. To secure the future of York kingdom and his father's dream. Nothing for poor Richard himself. At least not until much later when his own dark, sinful desires were dragged out of him by force.]

It sounds like our situations do not differ that much from one another. [Except as far as Richard understood, Silco did not have the divine blessing to back up his war like he and his brother had while going up against Lancasters. So, it sounds more like a peasant uprising than anything else -- but still not something to scoff at or to take lightly. Such uprisings and rebellions could easily cause a ripple effect in the kingdom and cost king his head.

But perhaps it was that lack of God's favor that landed the man here after his death, giving him the mark of the sinner.] I do hope that someone is able to continue your work, then.

[Silco raised his eyebrow at the threat leveled towards him, mentally revisiting his words about the death of Richard's father. He certainly said nothing that would discredit the man, which meant to him that it was such a sore subject that it required setting a boundary that was stronger than necessary. Richard sounded like a Piltie, prattling about bloodlines and the importance of honouring ones father. He admired the loyalty, and while he had absolutely no doubt in his mind that Richard would carry out that threat, he found it amusing.

He closed the distance between himself and Richard on the game trail and leaned in so they were looking eye-to-eye. The corner of his lip twisted to an small smile.] I will hold you to that promise. I admire that kind of loyalty, and I would very much like to hear his great deeds to earn such respect and loyalty from you.

[It might be worthwhile having a King-out-of-water in his back pocket. Also, he had been threatened many times in his life time and most of them had held promise to it, so this honestly felt like things were getting back to normal. Richard had plenty of hot buttons, and he certainly was curious to discover them and how to aim the younger man in the direction of his rivals or enemies. Loyalty was important.]

Hope is what makes people bold. While I don't know your situation, I would have slit their throats and been done with it. They have not use to live but be a threat to you and yours. [Silco had done that to Vander's supporters when he had risen to power. Benzo had been the first, then Vander to follow, and a few key outspoken players and by then, everyone else was out to save their skins and went quiet. Fear was a good motivator as much as hope was.]

No they do not. The only difference I can see is we are the faceless foot soldiers in your war, and you are me in mine. You have the power, the smarts and the determination to force change. So do I. [He rose, reaching out to touch the pommel of Richard's sword with two fingers.] Zaun has been fed the run off for too long. I will see it free even beyond my death. Then we will be ready to stand against the war coming to our borders from beyond. And here, in this place, there is no war but it is what we make of it.

[He had no favour of any gods. He didn't want it either.] At least you and I can admit we are monsters who have purpose. I like that. It's rare here, and there's no shame in it. Embrace it, and if that requires the loss of my tongue someday, so be it.

[He stayed still when Silco approached, closing the small gap between them. There's a subtle curious change in his expression as he looks up at the man through his long lashes. Was this an intimidation attempt? Or try to establish power and control? Well, whatever it was Richard was not going to submit.]

So, you are saying that you are my reflection and I'm yours in different life. ['Not your other half, but you.' He reminds to himself, feeling already the loneliness echoing within him. He waits a quick moment, expecting fully to hear Joan and her taunting insults. But she stays gone, along with the voices shouting the curses at him. The only thing he could hear was the beating of his own heart, trying to break out of its prison. There it is again. The ugly hope he wanted to get rid off.]

My power was never obvious. I had to carve it for myself and take it. Nothing was ever given to me freely. Surely you understand. [It had been paid off by endless suffering and humiliation, pain and loss. If Silco truly meant what he said about them being the same, he would've gone through it all as well. The mark on his face was proof enough.

Richard briefly looked down at the fingers reaching to feel his sword. A small grin formed to his lips as he raised his hand to grab on the collar of Silco's shirt, pulling the man even closer so that he could feel the other's breath against his face.]

Then you know that the pact with a monster always comes with a heavy sacrifice. It's a double edged sword, drowning anyone who tries to wield it.

I'll let you infer whatever you like to my words. We do seem to have certain similarities to the paths of our lives from details we've discussed with each other. [They both seemed to be violent men in their own way, ruthless to get what they wanted but also smart enough to understand that outright force was not the best course of action. The slow long game as it were.

He made a low noise of acknowledgement to Richard's words, tilting his head as he held their mismatched gazes together.] Real power is not for those smartest or fastest or strongest but for those who will do anything to acquire it. Power is understanding your own strengths and employing them to best effect, and it's the slow game that take advantage of weaknesses in situations.

[His blue eye widened when he collar was seized, fingers tightening on the pommel of the sword. It was a rare situation that someone grabbed him in such a way; his previous reputation kept others well out of his range for the most part. There were a few that treated him roughly in an attempt to intimidate or harm him, but this... was different. It didn't yet put him on edge, but he hadn't decided if he hated it.]

I've been drowning all my life. Are you going considering making a pact with me, Richard? [Silco had no illusions of the fact he was a monster.] How does drowning make you feel?

I welcome the pain. However, I shall not be taken down so easily as that. Monster or no monster, I refuse to drown. [He holds Silco's gaze with his own, words spoken meticulously, yet hiding a hint of dangerous saccharine behind them. He does not doubt Silco's claim of his own nature. How else would he have been able to see through the beast within Richard if he wasn't hiding one inside as well.

Bites, bruises and claw marks he would accept without hesitation or questions asked. But he would not let himself to be controlled or chained by another monster. No matter how much comfort the company of his own kind bring him.]

But I think we are getting ahead of ourselves. You are you, and I'm me. And at the moment there is only so much we could give to each other. [There's a laughter creeping to his tone as he lets go of the man's collar, giving the fabric a quick brush before he steps past him. And just like that, Richard withdraws from the moment. He sees the bait and the hand that is offering it, but circles around it rather than accept it.] We are losing the light fast. I'd suggest we'd make haste towards the caves if we wish to make it back before the break of the new day.

Is that because you are used to pain, so it is comforting with its familiarity? [He made a noise, and he expected they had very different views of drowning.] There is peace in water, but there is violence too. A rage and a quiet working in opposites.

[The little temptation of the moment was broken with Richard moved away, and he stood back to his full height as he gave himself a few second to reorganize his thoughts. He ignored the brief current of disappointment; there would be other opportunities, of course. He would see what Richard was capable of eventually.]

Yes, trust and loyalty require sacrifice and time. [He turned from facing the younger man to start back on the path. Darkness never frightened him; he was the monster out here more often than not.] Oh I have no issue traveling in the dark; after all, I brought no such light source for cave travel. I can manage perfectly well without. [He had grown up in the mines of the Undercity, but he could understand how most would not feel as comfortable as he with that.

So he walked, passing by trees, rocks and underbrush as the evening deepened with each step. He tucked his hands into his coat pockets and walked the path he had many times before. The mouth of the cave emerged as the tree line fell away, and he simply kept walking to the dark maw of stone.]

[Well, he hit right on the money with that. Richard's constant suffering was endless, marked permanently on him and clinging like a cloth. The pain and agony were his loyal companions, and he would only welcome the foreign beast to try out his luck with him. Let them come and try. He'll always emerge victorious.

There is only brief and quiet hum of approval from him. It'd be foolish of him to place his trust on Silco. Especially with the common recognition between them. After all, men like them only followed their own calling. Dealing with souls did cheapen the cost of loyalty and trust.]

You are not worried of what lives in the woods? ['Of the witches and monsters', he thinks to himself. The memory of the dark woods of his childhood were fresh and vivid in his mind, making him feel suffocating fear coiling around him. And yet, he still found himself returning there. It was almost as if he was looking for something, a part of himself perhaps. Who knows, maybe that was the reason the other man also felt draw towards the darkness of the caves.]

[The lack of verbal answer to his question was actually answer enough for him. He had the impression that Richard was all about suffering, either causing it or being subjected to it. The air of the man was restrained with an undercurrent that violence was always an option. Whether that violence was defensive or offensive likely depended on the situation, but since he had already been threatened with losing his tongue over a comment about Richard's father... he was leaning towards defensive.

He knew self hatred when he saw it. Those possibilities could be masked, erased or momentarily forgotten in a place like Zaun, which they unfortunately were not in. He would simply have to give Richard the benefit of the doubt to not stab him in the back for now.]

Why would I be? Most who know me would claim I'm the biggest monster out here. [He smirked as if to say that they were probably right. He glanced back at Richard as he had to lean forward and use his hands to walk up the incline to come up to the mouth of the cave.] Besides, I have you with your sword, and you seem to be perfectly willing to tangle with whatever lives out here. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Even a monster bleeds when cut down. [Despite their despicable and monstrous natures they still are made of flesh and bones. Such soft and fragile armors, giving them little to none protection from the fangs of a real beast lurking in the darkness.]

Do you always place your trust in the mercy of a good Samaritan? [But Silco is right, once again. Because as long as he's with Richard he is safe. He might not be a knight in shining armor, fighting for a justice, but he will not let his companion to be taken down if he has a power to prevent it.] Aye, you are correct. Must be your lucky day.

I'm aware. But in this place, monsters like us are reborn to relive and learn from our previous mistakes. [That was the theory anyway, but he hadn't been willing to test it himself. He had heard that people had died and returned, yet others had left without a trace and never returned.] They want us to reform after all, and I have considerable to repent for I imagine.

[He actually chuckled at the question, stopping at the mouth of the cave to look at Richard.] I never put my trust in any good Samaritan. However, as far as I can see, you don't benefit from my death, and I think you and I are interested in exploring this opportunity. [The caves, he meant, but he'd leave it to Richard to fill in whatever idea the opportunity was.]

Luck or fortune favouring me?

There are lessons of the flesh that one could do without. [Because really. That sounds like a lazy excuse to Richard. Even if death is not permanent he does not see point in challenging it and invite agony for no other reason than foolish pride and misplaced arrogance. Richard has had enough near death experiences in his life, with most of them either from battlefield or from his own youthful recklessness in the wilds, to know better than to play with fire unless it's necessary.

But it does seem like Silco is a smart man in more ways than just one. Because as things stand Richard does benefit from keeping the man alive, not only for practical reasons but also to satiate his curiosity and state of mind. Silco does interest him, yes, but also brings him some of that damned comfort that calms his stormy mind -- chasing the ghosts away for time being.

Though the question does make him raise a questioning brow as he steps closer to the opening of the cave.]

Do you believe in such things? Fate and fortunes?

There are lessons of the flesh only learned with a little roughness. [He had no intention of dying, and he knew that at this time of evening that creatures were looking for other prey at this point. The cave was normally deserted especially as darkness fell and even better, the tablets didn't work well in the cave system so there was momentary peace.] Of course, most of those lessons require exposure, usually afterwards. [Bandages, salve, healing tinctures and the sort.

He waited for Richard to join him close to the cave mouth; it was best to be physically close or with contact with each other since there would be no light in which to see once they were deeper in. He was confident of his ability to navigate, but he honestly did not know how Richard would react.]

I don't discount the possibility, but I don't let it weigh down my actions either. I've seen no evident for or against the fates. I prefer my actions to be my own, good or bad.

[He falls quiet on the topic. There is a faint, almost a phantom like, pain tingling on his left arm. The burnt injury reminding Richard of its presence once again. The skin was slowly healing underneath the securing cloth, but Richard knew that it would never truly go away. Pain would remain along with the markings, hindering his movements forever. But what was the lesson to be learned from the act of self-mutilation? And to who? A sacrifice to the crown. Warning to his enemies as he allowed himself to resemble the demon everyone claimed him to be. All while his other half would link the divinity to his body and name. Such a foul play.

A lesson in fear, he supposes. And in deceit. ]

In my world they believe that everything has already been decided. That all we can do is follow God's plan for us and fulfill our roles in His divine play, that is what it means to be human. [Knitting his brows in a frown, Richard stares in the dark depths of abyss in front of him. A door to crust of earth, is it? Pathway to hell.] But even if that is true, what would that mean for monsters?

After you.

That's feels like a isolating idea. I don't like the idea that our struggles, our victories, our daily lives are nothing more then motions we walk because a higher power made it so. No, I walk my path because I chose to do so. [He considered at Richard's question, reaching out slowly so his movements were completely telegraphed.] It means your God doesn't want the best for you or anyone else.

[He gestured with his other hand towards the mouth of the cave.] I'm going to take your hand to guide you, alright? Once we are deep inside, there will be little to no light. I know the paths by feel.

[With the hand he had moved closer, he took one of Richard's hands and turned away to begin to walk into the cave itself. As promised, there was little to no light within a few feet of the entrance, though there was the sound of Silco humming low in his throat. His orange mutilated eye also gave off a faint glow in the dark as he turned his head to listen and feel the stonework under his finger tips.]

If you wish to go back outside, all you have to do is say so. I think the trip will be worthwhile though.

[Richard blinks at the response, the corner of his lips curling into a subtle yet sardonic smile. "The insolence," he thinks to himself bemusedly. If he were to speak out such blasphemy he is certain it would cost him his head. Yes, he just likes you even more now.] I have heard that people find comfort in that thought. In knowing that all of their suffering and happiness have meaning, or that we are not alone. God is looking after us like a shepherd after his sheep. But yes. I think I agree with you.

[The smile, however, freezes when Silco reaches out for his hand. Richard does not pull back or fight, allowing the contact. And when swiftly glances at their joined hands Richard could swear he heard whispering coming from somewhere. But that might have been the rustling of the leaves in the trees. Either way, the sound is highly unpleasant, making his skin crawl.]

I am no child. [It's all he has to say as he steps inside the cave, following Silco closely.]

I've heard the same, but people in their lowest moments or succumbing to their despair find ways to reconcile their miserable small lives. If there were gods or a God that was deeply invested in the lives of the sheep, wars, conflicts and other such tragedies would likely not be apart of our lives. They are, so we make the most of our available decisions and actions. [He had no doubt that they could discuss such matters at length.

They even had time in the caves if they wanted to. It would be some travel to arrive at the intended destination, and he was curious how well Richard would do in the absolute darkness of this place. Most felt the walls closing in around them, every sound a danger, every smell a shock.]

Who called you a child? [He pulled Richard along lightly, keeping the younger man close so the risk of losing that hand was limited. Soon the cave widened, and he moved Richard's hand to hip waist.] Hold there. I need both hands for this part. [Mentally, he knew where he was going, how far it was and when to turn, but he had another so decided to be a little extra cautious so as not to potentially spook the other.]

You treat me like one. [Richard is barely a stranger to a darkness. For he has carried it with him his entire life, hiding in the shadows as his brothers would bask in the light. That had always been his role, hasn't it. Wrapped in a cold steel, wiping the royal buttocks off the mess that they made. At least until the fire within him had been set ablaze, inviting him to step out into the light. Before that, darkness had brought him comfort in its solitude.

But now? Now it felt almost like too much. Had he truly gotten already so accustomed to the unnatural, never ending light of the city that he had forgotten where he once came from? The dark castle halls feel so far away.

Richard squints his eyes, trying to get used to the darkness surrounding them. "You mustn't let go of the hand in the dark." The voice reminds him, coldness settling into his body. There is a flash of a memory of a much slender hand holding his own in his mind, guiding him right into the heart of a forest. And, just for a second, he swears that his heart stops when Silco moves his hand, letting go of him. Just like mother did.

The fear of abandonment raises its ugly head, making Richard pause before quickly reaching forward to grab Silco's forearm.]

No.

You are no child. Most top dwellers I know don't enjoy the dark as my people do; it unnerves them. I only wanted to prepare you. [It wasn't as he needed to justify himself, and he shouldn't care about the accusation. After all, it was more care than he usually bothered with those the followed him into the dark places that he could frequent to slip away from the business of Aldrip.

He came here because it was familiar, the kind of darkness that reminded his childhood. This was where he could think, where he could return to his roots. There was comfort for him in this darkness, feeling the rocks under his fingertips, sliding his feet rather than just lifting them in case there was a hazard of tripping.

Silco made a noise when Richard's hand seized his forearm, and he turned slightly with the grip of it.]

It's okay. I wouldn't leave you behind.

[He also didn't redirect Richard's grip again; he could manage without both hands if he needed to. In order to avoid panic of this place, he used his forearm to tug Richard closer to his back where the younger man could crowd him if necessary.]

Keep close, we've only just begun. Just two monsters in the dark, hmm?

[So bold of him to chastise the man for treating him too softly, only to let the fears of his childhood get better of him. Even in his current state, Richard can feel the barbs of shame prickling against his back.

Richard's grip is strong, holding both of them still just like the breath that's won't leave from his lungs. Well, it's a small blessing that Silco can't see the distress twist Richard's expression. Then, when he is pulled closer he uses that as chance to press properly against other's back, resting his forehead on Silco's shoulder. The body heat helps him to calm down his nerves, calling him back from nightmare of his past.

As long as he's here she can't control him any more. None of her words can't hurt him. He's right, he tells himself. Just two monster lurking in the dark where they belong. If something were to come their way he would simply cut it down, tear it from limb to limb and gobble up its remains.

A shaky brief escapes from him, body relaxing as his expression returns back to neutral. His hold on the man's forearm loosens, fingers sliding down to take a hold of his wrist instead.]

Yes. Let us continue.

[He might not be able to see the distress, but it was like a miasma in the air, a prickle along his skin. He'd lost enforcers in the dark before, and their panic was the same. He might not know the source of Richard's exact reason for distress, but it all fell into similar patterns; in this case, he didn't hate the younger man enough to consider just leaving him here in the dark. No, he had intentions to take them further in.

Yet momentarily stiffened when Richard was suddenly leaning on him, though that was a normal reaction he supposed. Marcus hadn't dared to get that close even when their truce was in its infancy. His coat might be a protective barrier, but he was reminded in that moment that Richard was much smaller than himself, almost femininely slight. It had been a long time since anyone but Jinx - who was a slight woman herself - pressed in this close to him. Oh how Richard couldn't know the usual neutrality or even aversions to it.

He waited for the panic to subside, and he didn't fight as that grip moved to his wrist instead.]

Of course. There's a fork up ahead and we'll be taking the right passage.

[He began to move again, leading them along close to the right wall so that he could easily take them into the right passage as he had planned. Deeper into the caves where the lack of sound could be oppressive. It didn't bother him, of course. All the while, he allowed Richard his wrist and to keep in close.]

[The thing is, Richard is hardly overly affectionate person either. He, too, tends to avoid contact unnecessarily contact if possible. But through the dealings with Buckingham he's learned that a there is even a subtlest touch can hold power. Another tool of deceit and manipulation. However, in this case it had another purpose, not to control but to heal. And seeing how Silco is also privy to one of his secrets, one that not even his other half never knew, so there was already some trust forming -- even if it is a shaky one.

The further they walked in the more did his eyes got used to the darkness. He still couldn't make out of the fine details of the walls around them, but moving became easier as he no longer didn't have to doubt his every step.]

What are you hoping to find from here?

[Once they were in motion and things begin to line up smoothly with Richard following in step with him. That made things easier as they progressed through the caves, taking the necessary turns. He was keenly aware of the feel of Richard's hand around his wrist, the warmth bleeding through the fabric. In the dark, there was hypersensitivity to certain stimuli, and that's where some of his focus remained.

He took a left turn, having to ease across the tunnel to make it so they were momentarily without any wall to orient with.]

Spare thoughts usually, but I've never had much company in the caves. Least of all someone I knew the name of coming in. [He reached out until his fingers brushed the stone.] But today, I was going to show you the scaly beasts I told you about previously. If that interests you?

[The man's ability to traverse and navigate inside the cave system without a sight, needing no more than touch of his finger tips, truly is impressive one. Richard doesn't think he's ever met anyone who's been able to do so. But then again, he had never visited the depths of the mines, had he? Silco might not look like on who originated from the depths of the caves, not with that slim and seemingly fragile looking body, but it would make sense. After all, the man did speak of those who lived above, showering in the light of the day - separating them from himself.

'Is it not rich of you to judge the others by their appearance! You, out of all people, ought to know dangers of such blindness.' Joan laughs somewhere, her raw cackling echoing against the walls of the cavern. But Richard was not going to take the bait this time. It wasn't like she was wrong.]

Ah. Are you hoping to perhaps reap glory by slaying one? [He laughs lightly, sneering smile hidden away from the sight.] It would be a heroic deed that'd the bards would sing about to the future generations.

[Fissure folk were a hardy lot, and Silco had always made a point to return to his roots frequently. That's who he had been trying to raise up from oppression after all, and he liked to remind himself that he had once been nothing more than one of them regardless of how high his tower was. Besides, there was peace in the dark if one knew how to navigate it, and there were always subtle signs in caves even when the air was oppressive and the darkness was closing in.

That Richard simply held on and followed his lead was a point in the younger man's favour. Most would want light by now, verging on panic and already turned around as their imaginations took over for what monsters lurked waiting for them.]

Hardly. I see no glory is killing such beauty. Most would call them monsters, not realizing the irony that there is a monster in all of us. [He didn't mind being teased; he didn't come across nor cared to come across as someone who was into such heroics. That was Vander.] Such tales are mostly lies and embellishments anyway. Truth is just a survivor's story and history is written by the victors.

[Hello Silco! Hope your day is going well and you've rested well. If not, well! It is about to get somewhat weirder. Because no matter where you are there is an albino boar coming to visit you. If he's cooped up in his office there's a faint 'thud' sounds against the door as the animal keeps poking it with his snout. And if he's out somewhere checking out his business he might feel a gentle brush against his feet from the back. Etcetc. The point is, wherever he is, the pig will find him.

In his mouth there is a parchment, one with decorative spelling of Silco's name written with ink. If he accepts the paper and unfolds it he'll find a hand written letter:]

To Silco,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am aware that your schedule is quite filled and keeps you busy so I'll keep this message brief. The gods of place has blessed me with a surprised appearance of an old companion, which means that my current lodgings at the inn are no longer suitable to my needs. I will be looking for a new and more proper living arrangements for the two of us. Of course, once I have found what I'm looking for I will be sure to let you know.

Until then, if you find yourself in need of contacting me do not hesitate reach out to me through the mirror, or giving a reply to my companion. He will always know how to find me.

Signed,
Richard Plantagenet, The Duke of Gloucester.

[Silco had no idea how the pig managed to wander passed the staff - clearly he needed new hires - to poke at his door and snuffle. It was so noisy and bothersome that he actually moved from his desk to open the door and... there was an albino pig. With a note. He stared for a long suspicious moment before reaching down the take the note, examining the penmanship first (so few appreciated the ink and pen).

He moved away from the pig to return to his desk, unfolding and reading the missive. Richard, hmm? He stared at the letter for a long quiet moment after finishing reading it, mind drifting to all that he had to do today, all the tasks to complete, all the business he filled his life with to avoid going to an empty house. This wouldn't be a problem in Zaun; there was always something that required his attention. Here? Not so much.

He looked across his desk at the various notes on businesses he was considering. Then he used a finger to drag half the parchment down to view the pig. He sighed and finally folded the missive neatly, rising from his chair and grabbing his coat.

He approached the albino pig and looked down at the beast. This wasn't the strangest companion.] The Duke states is his letter that you always know how to find him. Can you guide me to him? As a long time resident, it feels prudent to assist in finding him proper accommodation. [Not... escapism at all.]

[The pig stares right back at Silco, looking a little nervous under the suspicious eyes. But once the letter is accepted and the man moves back inside his office it seems like a wave of relief washes over the animal. It follows Silco inside, carefully sniffing the floor and poking around while looking around the room. But at least he seems to be mindful enough not to make a mess or break anything!

However, Silco stands back up, walked around the table and approached the pig it jumped a little as if it had just been caught red handed from doing something. The small dark eyes look up, blinking once or twice, but overall appearing very attentive. Huh. As if it actually understands every word said to him.]

Meep. [The pig lets out a soft noise before sneezing quietly. After that it turns around and walks out of the door, fully expecting Silco to follow.

And.. let's just say that he's definitely taking Silco for an adventure. It seems like the pig just knows how to find every small crook and narrow alley, moving swiftly through the shadows and managing always to avoid any curious eyes. No wonder it had been able to slip past any staff members and find the way to Silco's office.

After a taking them through different short-cuts the pig leads them to the outskirts of Aldrip. There, on an empty field right next to the city borders, there is a very familiar figure dressed in black leather carrying a bow and arrow. He's set up a small target practice for himself, having painted marks on a big oak tree not too far from himself.]

[It didn't take Silco long to realize that the pig already had a better grasp of navigating the city than most of the Chosen, and he hadn't seen Richard with a pig before now. This had to be a new addition, which made the beast an even greater curiosity in light of the written missive. He followed, using narrow alleys that he usually did to make his way around the city for both the shortest distance possible and to avoid observation as much as possible.

He could tell they were leaving the hustle and bustle of Aldrip soon, and he expected that they would be heading to the outskirts. Richard seemed to have a particular fondness for the forest he had observed, and it wasn't a wonder if the younger man would simply claim a plot of land and build a house way out amid the trees. It wasn't Silco's style, but he wouldn't step on anyone's choices for living. After all, Jinx had a tree house out here somewhere and was probably living out here to avoid him as much as she humanly could when not causing trouble at the docks with her little gang.

Spotting Richard, he tucked his hands into his jacket as he was forced to leave the city behind once more and walk in nature. Oh how he missed the city of iron and glass, his nation of Zaun.]

I assume this one is a new addition for you? [He nodded his chin towards the albino pig.] And I see you never miss an opportunity to practice with your weapons. Is this where you might live?

[Once Richard's figure swims to their view the pig picks up its pace, trotting gleefully towards the man it seems to view as its' master of sorts.

Richard, meanwhile, begins to draw his bow. His feet are slightly spread and planted firmly on the ground, back straight and head held up high. It's seemingly perfect form when he raises the bow and draws the tight string along with the arrow. He takes a deep breath and focuses his eyes at the painted target in front of him. A beat, and he's just about to release the arrow and---]

Meep! [The pig call out as it runs up to Richard, making the duke to stop and lower his bow. There's almost something fond reflected in his eyes as he looks down at the loyal animal -- but it disappears immediately once he notices that it hadn't arrived alone.] Oi, Whitey. [He mutters at the pig, a hint of scold in his tone.

Then he looks up from the beast to greet Silco.]

Mind stays sharp in well trained body, Silco. It would not do good for me for neglect my training and allow my skills go soft even during these days of peace. [Also. He's bit of a sword himbo, ok??] I see that Whitey successfully delivered my letter.

[Bows were not too common in the Undercity, not with the clutter of buildings. He knew of other places that frequently made use of them, of course, but that was all in books and discussions while sharing a drink with traders. From his amateur assessment, it seemed to him that Richard knew how to handle the weapon effectively, even if an arrow never flew upon his approach.

He also had never seen that expression on Richard's face before, he noted. It seemed the pig and the duke were rather fond of each other, and he expected that could be a weakness exploited by those wanting to take advantage of the situation. It was one reason he had never dared have a pet; it would end up a victim of early Shimmer experimentation anyway.]

You expect that we won't be at peace for long then. [Good. There was always room for battles in this place, though how those on the level of 'normal' would do against some of those they had here remained to be seen. A cunning mind might even the score.]

Is that the animal's name? Very creative. It seemed you are in the market for a place of your own, and I happen to know more than a few opportunities. If you're interested, of course.

I do not expect anything. Not war or peace.

[Whitey truly was an anomaly to Richard's life. His older brothers had looked at the thing with confused amusement, not quite sure why would Richard keep such thing around. After all, boars were wild and timid creatures, nearly impossible to tame. And yet here Whitey is, walking up to lean on Richard's legs like a pampered lapdog. When it had first arrived Richard hadn't been all that surprised if he was honest. The animal had always known how to find him, appearing before him and guiding him to the safety when he needed it the most. Really. Seeing that their lives were entangled together it only made sense that Whitey would find his way to this world as well.]

Whitey can't stay at the inn. [While the staff didn't seem to mind the boar that much it still was hardly an appropriate location for such animal.

Though the offer does make him smile a bit.] Yet another act of your neverending generosity. Unfortunately I have not been able to gather funds for an entire house just let, which does limit my options.

Edited 2024-06-19 10:01 (UTC)

This place doesn't allow peace for long; there always seems to be some event or another to stir people up.

[Silco continued to approach slowly to where Richard had set up, but his steps stuttered uncharacteristically at the statement of his generosity. He liked to think of himself as fair, in a sense of the word when it came to Zaun where if he received something, he would give in return. Zaun was a nation of promises, favours and handshake deals, and there was much credit put to someone honouring their word.

So it called into question why he went out of his way to show Richard places or simply showed up. There was a strangeness to their conversations, an intrigue that nudged the deep unsettled sensation inside of him. Perhaps it was that they were both monsters? Why did he handled Richard like he handled his daughter? Was that all there was? A similarity to the deep unsettled nature of a person afflicted with voice or...? Thinking of Jinx's current rejection stung just a touch, but he pushed it away. He was not filling that void with this man.

He made a point to look between Richard and the pig again as if trying to examine a problem that required solving.] The apartments are quaint enough I'm told. There are other accommodations as well such as bunking with a friend, sleeping in the woods - not particularly recommended - and stealing your way into abandoned places. I see many chosen have roommate situations, but you seem to enjoy your privacy.

Like the tower had been.

[Richard had been told the tales of the time The Chosen defeated and slayed a monstrous creature from the depths of ocean. The trials that they faced at the Tower could not hold a candle to previous adventures. But yet, Richard was rather interested in seeing what else this world had to offer. Just what kind of punishments and tribulations were waiting for this group of sinners. He'd welcome them all.

Whitey lets outs a soft grunt when Silco begin to list all the possible solutions, as if to give out his on input on the matter. In return, Richard kneels down on the ground and places his weapon down so that he can scratch the pig behind its ears.

Last time they had met at the opening of Last Drop the man had made a vague promise to help him out if he needed something. It had been partially the reason why he had send the letter to him in the first place. While he did not want to rely on Silco more than he had already, Richard did feel like it was only proper for him to inform the other about the change in his living arrangements. They had spoken of a covenant, hadn't they? It wasn't still set in motion but Richard could see the potential bond growing between them. Only time would reveal what kind shape it will take.]

Aye. Sharing living quarters with someone is out of question. Whitey can be handful. [There is another "meep" coming from the pig in protest. Because yeah.. Avoiding sharing rooms with someone is more for his own sake than for Whitey's. He did not only value privacy but rather saw it essential for his survival. The last thing he wants is to risk his own demons being discovered and his secret being let out.]

I do not intend to become a hermit and run off to woods either. But a house from somewhere around here would be ideal, I suppose. Quiet, calm and open path to both city and forest.

Edited (oop) 2024-06-19 21:56 (UTC)

[Silco suddenly found the tree with the target painted on it to be the most interesting part of the forest for a few seconds after processing the reference to the Tower. That place had been set up to be fine, but it had ended up being disastrous for him in particular. He was still dealing with the repercussions, and it didn't appear as if the storm was going to be ending any time soon.] It does seem that the Tower was a complication.

[His mismatched gaze to the pig now known to him as 'Whitey', and he dealt with animals with sentience. It was obvious this creature knew some language, maybe all of it. No wonder Richard was willing to dedicate so much time and effort to finding a place to accommodate the pair of them. Animals of all shapes and sizes lived with their humanoid bond, so this wasn't unusual to see.

Discussion of the house was far safer than the Tower. He'd prefer to put it behind him.]

That knocks the option off then. [He would not pursue it further.] And what amenities would you require in your abode? One bedroom, two bedroom, multiple bathrooms?

[He didn't think location would be a problem, but it would more be what interior would work best. He didn't know what kind of homes Dukes lived in where Richard was from.]

[The Tower had truly been underwhelming experience for Richard himself that he didn't even think of looking for any signs of distress or alike in Silco. And he hadn't exactly heard anyone talk much about the events that happened there, almost as if it had been one, big collective dream.

But then there is the question of the house, which honestly suited him better, too. Richard casts his gaze down at Whitey as he mulls over his thoughts. The apartment, houses and other living quarters were very different from those from his own world... Just like everything else. It had taken him a week to learn properly how to walk through an automatic doors or figure out how to use light switch. It did bring him some anxiety to think that he would soon be all alone with these random gadgets and unnatural furniture.]

..I do not require much. Two bedrooms with separate areas for dining, kitchen and washing is enough.

[It was for the best no one was talking about it, and they could just move on from the trouble that it had caused. This was yet another sign that they were in some kind of purgatory, and they all likely deserved everything coming to them from the Council. After all, no one actually seemed to be obeying whatever rudimentary rules there were in this place.

Richard and Saralegui were the epitome of fish-out-of-water, but they did both seem to be handling it well enough. He hadn't seen any cries for assistance on the network. Of course, he couldn't guarantee either of them hadn't just buried the tablet.]

That isn't a complicated home then. That will be easy enough to have built for you. Do you want a shower and a bathtub or just one of those? [He was, after all, making mental notes.] And does your companion have specific needs inside or out of a property?

[Richard was a firm believer of doing things on his own and hated the idea of being dependent on someone else. Never in his life had he been given anything for free, having always to work himself double the amount anyone else. When he was still a mere child he had endlessly trained his small body so that he would be able to catch up with his brothers, filling his days with exercise, lessons in sword, archery and military tactics. All so that he could one day prove himself worthy of standing next to his father in battlefield. And once the age of boyhood had passed? Well, after that he had craved the power to himself through victories in war, and playing the social game of the court just right.

So, asking for help out in public like that went against the foundation of his own belief. That power was something you carved out for yourself, rather than wait for it to happen or to be given. Which is also why his opinion of the young king had faltered when he had seen him in the network. While the humility had been inspiring to some degree but the contract that the king had spoken of made Richard lose his belief in him. But then again, Saralegui wasn't like him. He was young and beautiful, shining that light which only of those with divine blessing could.]

You may think of me as one of the royals who sleep in their high castles, surrounded by gold and luxury. But the truth is that I do not require much. ['A hunter's cabin in middle of woods. Keeping you two safe from the rain.' A distant memory echoes in his mind. Mocking him with the moments of peace and tranquility that had been unknowingly to him been built on blood and betrayal.

Whitey seems to catch on the direction that Richard's thoughts were threatening to slip, and makes a small grunt to snap him out of it.]

I'm not one for luxuries. Just the standard will do. As for Whitey, he knows how to look after himself. All I want need is to provide him a warm place to sleep during the cold weather and rain.

[Silco was similar in that he preferred his independence and making his own way and creating his own opportunities. He had set himself up well and early in Aldrip, of course, and he had no reason to look back on how he had managed to get this far either. He kept his dealings tight because it was necessary, unlike in Zaun where he could buy certain people off to have them cover him as he acquired more and more. It was, of course, a survival tactic even if it put a target on his back at the same time.

He had relied on someone before and that betrayal still stung. Of course, the recent one was still fresh enough that he hadn't bothered to deal with it; a treacherous weak part of him had always known the answer to the question of who Jinx would choose in a contest and it was reiterated yet again. He still loved and would care for her, yet her silence towards him felt different. He didn't have Zaun to fall back on until she had forgiven him for one thing or another.

Maybe that was why he was out here in the first place. Richard seemed to have a relatively positive opinion of him, and their dealings had been such an oddity that it stole his attention when he was distracted from conquering Aldrip.]

I've met a few who call themselves royalty, and you do not behave as they do. [Well, a little. There was still the idea that Silco was some kind of unworthy mutt with dirty blood; he'd endured that since the day he was born. Richard had tamed the rhetoric down.] I imagine you'll need a place with peace and quiet to keep your witch from bothering you too much. Absolute quiet or blasting music are what my daughter tends to require.

[He looked at the pig again, and then he simply shrugged his shoulders. None of these requests were abnormal or even odd.] You can request a house built for you through the natives of Aldrip. [He listed off a name and the location to find this person.] More people will likely be coming soon, so I would advise putting in your request within the next week.

[The hand scratching Whitey's head stills as Silco makes the mention of the witch. His breathing stills for a moment and he can feel a cold wave washing over him, making his bones shiver. It still so disorienting to hear anyone address his curse so directly, without any fear or prejudice. He swallows air, keeping his eyes locked on the white fur of the pig and just hoping that Silco's bold words won't summon her. The day had been going so well so far...]

I met your daughter. [Richard says, drawing his hand away from Whitey. He grabs his bow again and stands back up. Meeting Jinx... had been interesting, let's say. The girl really did not resemble her father in anyway. Not in appearance or behavior. But then again. Richard himself had been different from rest of his family, dark sheep among the white lambs. And none of that had affected the deep bond that he shared with his father. Which he could only assume to be the same with this parent-child couple.]

How do you know when new people are going being summoned.

[He could watch the way that Richard reacted to casual mention of the witch, and he didn't find it unusual given how the younger man seemed to fear her presence. Jinx was the same, but he found the voices would be quieter when they were confronted openly and without fear. It was one of the few methods that calmed Jinx when she had first come to his care, and he wondered if Richard had ever had anyone ever simply accept this as what it was.

He raised his eyebrow at the mention of Richard having met Jinx. There was likely only one of two ways such an introduction could have gone, and depending on where it was, he could eliminate one instantly.] Did you? How badly did she interrogate you or insult you?

[Silco accepted Jinx as she was and defended much of her behavior. He understood that she was not for everyone's taste, and she could be... difficult to have a conversation with. Yet, a part of him was curious how Richard had experienced his only child.]

It seems to run on a cycle every two months thus far. New people will show up in seemingly random places. I washed up out of the ocean, and yet others appeared in the forest.

[Richard raises a matching eye brow at Silco and his lips curl up in amused grin. It is quite interesting that he didn't mince his words about her. Normally he'd hear fathers try to appeal to their children's more positive traits, to their wits and bravery if the child was a boy, and to their beauty and grace if it was girl.]

Neither, actually. [Jinx hadn't exactly been the most polite encounter, and she had certainly tried to get under his skin but she hadn't really posed as a threat to Richard. More than she had came across as a brat who lacked manners.] She merely seemed to be quite worried for you.

[So, there was a pattern to this world's workings? He supposes it only makes sense. Just like clear weather after a stormy night.]

Does that mean that people will be let out as well?

[He knew what Jinx was like on first encounters, and he had no reason to think anyone would appreciate her mannerisms as much as he did. She was perfect as she was in his eyes, though yes she did drive him mental at times. The fact that she wasn't on speaking terms with him currently did dull his enthusiasm for discussing an encounter, since he actually couldn't guarantee when she would decide to speak again.]

Did she? That isn't unusual normally. [He looked back at the target painted and shifted his shoulders, shaking his head a little.] Currently she is in a mood of not speaking to me, so I doubt you have to concern yourself with any possessive behavior for awhile.

[He cleared his throat as he moved to the far more impartial topic of conversation.]

No. There does not appear to be a rhythm or specific time frame to people leaving. They come every two months, but they leave on a whim at times.

[Huh... Richard has seen his own fair amount of troubled family life. Hell, his own had been rather stormy one between the three brothers. He also knew that there could be disagreements between sons and fathers, and sometimes even mother would shun her child -- like his had done. But to have disobedient daughter?

Yeah, no. That sounds just weird. It is daughter's role to be obedient and listen to their father -- at least until she's married off.]

You are her father. It is in your right to approach her despite her mood. [And as far as he knew, the same rules applied to even peasants. Daughters ought to respect the authority of their father.

Richard frowns at that explanation. Well, it would be too much to ask of sinners to redeem themselves that quickly. But yet, it did feel suspicious that people were to appear here on periodically like that and not when their sins out-weighted their good deeds.]

Hm. You must be pleased, then. It ought to bring you more customers and business opportunities.

[It was his right, was it? The corner of his lips tugged in a sardonic smile, finding no humour in the misconstrued idea. The people of Zaun - men and women - were supposed to be equals, and it was as much his duty to protect his daughter as it was his daughter's duty to protect him. It was not a concept he had entertained until Jinx, despite having used, spent and traded children for many years through gangs and mining operations. She had wormed her way in so fast he hadn't considered the implications of initially pledging to take her in as he had.

Both of their worlds had irrecably changed that night, and even through the tough times, he had respected her needs for space, her tantrums, her crawling into his lap to cuddle or babble about this or that. He knew the time to approach and the time to give her space; her sense of betrayal stung more as he found himself alone sorting through the traumas of a second death in less than a year.]

My subordinate taught me an important lesson about fathers and their daughters. She will come when she is ready. [Assuming she came back at all. The sister would perhaps be first choice, and he struggled to respect that notion.] Until then, I will continue as I have. The long hours don't bother me. [It was a hollow claim. He was building this empire for Jinx, despite knowing her temperament might not allow her to be a structured leader when he was gone.

...and assuming she didn't consider handing it to the sister. Oh the irony that would be.

So deep in his own thoughts that Silco didn't realize he was staring at the ground, an act of unawareness that would have likely cost him blood in Zaun. He jerked his head back up to regard Richard, and he grunted softly.]

There will always be opportunities if one knows how to look for them. This place hardly puts up a fight.

Edited 2024-06-22 22:59 (UTC)

[Richard allows Silco to have his moment, waiting for the man to reply in silence. He obviously did not know the depths of the issues that were poisoning the blood between his companion's family, nor was he one to pry. But whatever it was, it clearly affected the man's mood. He supposes he could understand that. Especially if his bond to his daughter was anything like Richard's own with his father.

He hums quietly and moves past Whitey, taking a few steps closer to Silco.]

We all want best for our children. [He says, trying to reach for a sense of solidarity. Maybe even camaraderie of sorts with the way he looks up at the man's mismatched eyes. All while he knew that he wasn't exactly the person to say that. Not when he barely knew the boy whom he had claimed to be his own. Satisfied with leaving him to Anne's care, only reaping the benefits of having a child. A heir.

But yet.. He could not stop himself thinking back to that stormy night after George's orphaned children were left to his care, when Edward had came to him all scared and teary-eyed after being tormented by a nightmare.

Children do come to you when they are ready, huh. Guess there was some truth to it.]

For now it doesn't.

[Normally he would stew on his thoughts alone in his office, and he definitely had been doing that the last few weeks too since his death and revival. The idea of doing that alone in his office had become almost as painful as the isolation of home, and he supposed that was one of the reasons that he had immediately followed the pig out to the forest. He was not the type to seek much in the way of companionship; Silco was a man he prided himself on being able to function with or without others.

His eyes followed Richard's movements, watching the distance between them close. They were not as close as they had sometimes come to be, not like at the Last Drop and not like the dark cave system. Still, the closer proximity did loosen a bit of tension to his shoulders, and he expected that was enough.]

No, not everyone does. Children are a burden we bear for the sake of the future. Some bear that well and others do not. I do want the best for her even when she couldn't care one way or another for herself. [He reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his blue eye momentarily. That was enough now, he told himself. He could not expose too much weakness; someone would be in line to take advantage of it.] Children are our legacy, hmm? A reflection of our best and worst traits made whole for another generation.

[He inclined his head, meeting Richard's gaze and then his expression twisted to being slightly annoyed. It wasn't a reasonable reaction either. He knew it wouldn't be this easy forever or even long-term.]

It will, I agree. We must be prepared for that switch. I'm preparing to fight for my place here, even if I must bring this falsity to its knees... or carry it to completion my way.

[Your weakness is open and showing, Silco. However, it is not an unusual one. Parents are expected to love their children, and vice versa. It is rare when that condition isn't met and more of a sign of weakness in ones soul more than anything. Or a curse, like was the case with him and his mother. Bound by the curse of blood and flesh that was festering like an open wound in harsh heat of sun. The hatred and pain kept them tied together, despite both parties despairing over the damned bond.

But as far as Richard could tell Silco was opposite of that. Why else would he have called a child without a trace of his blood his own? He spoke truthfully about her darkness, but unlike Richard's mother there was no sign of condemn nor disgust. Just open understanding and....even pride? That's what a love must be like, Richard decided. A pure, unfiltered love.]

I do know of parent shunning their child. [His voice gains perhaps a little tighter tone when the words slip past his lips. Jane, the witch that had wrapped his King Brother around his brother, had told as much. That there were women who'd seek out to kill the baby inside their bodies. An ultimate crime against God.

Richard steps around Silco, moving back to take his position at the target practice. He draws the bow and with practiced carefulness, making the whole process look smooth and effortless.]

I wonder which traits your daughter is reflecting? [He takes aim, breathes in and releases. The arrow soars quickly through the air, landing right in middle of the painted target on tree.]

You have the work cut out for you. Tell me, how are you prepared to fight and defend your position here in case someone with similar interests and ambition arrives? A cunning devil with charisma and means to steal your goal.

[He knew it showed, and he was not currently in a state of mind to reign in his thoughts on the matter. It hadn't even been a full year since he had stood on the edge of great chasm of victory with the wings and means to fly of a lifelong dream. Instead of flying, he had fallen to the deepest, darkest parts of his life as the reality of what it would cost was too great.

His ultimate failure. The path he reviled, mocked, and dismissed as nothing more than weakness in Vander became the same path he had walked. Like Vander, it had cost him his life.

He looked at Richard, humming at the comment. He too knew of parents that shunned their children; it was more common the deeper one went in the Undercity; life was hard enough without adding another mewling burden to it.] As do I. [His own parentage had not been pleased with his inconvenient arrival.

He made a point of folding his hands behind his back, clasping one wrist in a hand as he watched Richard return to practice. He expected that their conversation was likely done, information as to where the younger man could acquire housing given. He should return to work.]

Fear of abandonment, anger at her idea that one's word was broken, and a need to punish those that hurt her. [He shrugged his shoulders. He knew her well enough to know why she was giving the cold shoulder and expanding herself on the docks.] And ambition.

[Silco stared at the arrow embedded into the tree.] Oh, the usual. Chain them in a dank basement, break some bones, perhaps remove the skin from them. I can't well kill them, so I'll make them wish they were dead instead. Otherwise, I have my ways.

[The wound left on his soul by his own complicated relationship to his parents was still fresh and painful, that Richard very much preferred to move away from the topic of unwanted parenthood and toxic bonds of family. Besides, he believes that Silco had already offered him more than enough information about himself and his daughter. Family, even when founded on love, did mean happiness. And it did seem to be partially true on the man's case.

Richard pulls out another arrow from the quiver strapped against his hip. He draws the bow again, takes an aim and releases the arrow, this time taking considerably less time than before.]

Hm. Quite fantasy you have there. [He says flatly and turns to look over his shoulder. The horrors of the torture Silco had just described did not really impress him that much, having grown up hearing the terrors happening inside the dark depths of London Tower. If anything, his people were rather creative when it came to coming up ways to inflict pain on convicts, prolonging their suffering before miserable death. But there is something almost funny in how Silco just jumped on the violence with his answer. It reminded Richard a little of himself during his youth. Hot headed, only interested in spilling the blood left and right in order to spread glory of York.]

But unfortunately, rather dangerous approach. At the end of War of Roses me and my brothers had captured Henry Sixth, the ruling Lancaster King. His existence was clear danger to my brother's claim on throne and we we're left with dilemma what to do? If we killed the man it would not inspire trust nor loyalty on the new king, painting him as nothing but a violent usurper. [And yet, the solution to their situation had been an assassination. Ugly and hushed business, one that would be fatal to their reputation if it ever became public knowledge.]

Peasants can fight. And they will rebel and look to replace the false king with one they deem worthy, given a chance. It would be unwise of you to make yourself one.

[He was used to being disparaged for his ideas, fantasy or otherwise. History thus far had provided him the ego to know when he was right even if it didn't require the utmost of creativity. There was a point and a purpose, and while he had contingencies on what to do should someone with ambition arrive here - it was inevitable - his main concern was circumventing the Council and Jerry to expand his reach as far and wide as he could. They were the ones most at risk of interfering with him.

The Chosen were a mostly gamely lot that fought each other when push came to shove. They all had competing pathetic interests.

He was certain that no one in this place actually considered what he was capable of. Akechi actually might, but the hatred in the man blinded him from being too much of a real threat. Vi might have warned people about what he was capable of, but even she under-represented what he could do, what he had done, and what he was willing to do. Silco was being downright pleasant here, and sometimes it went against the grain of everything he was.]

Such a dilemma. Whatever to do with such a person... [Make them disappear. Create a narrative the people would accept or at least be too scared or indifferent to question.]

I wasn't seeking advice. [He replied coldly, his blue eye narrowing dangerously.] It may be unwise for you to look down your nose at the peasant. [Him.] I've told you what you need to know about finding accommodation.

[Anger stirred and while he had a firm grip of his temper so it would spill over, he lost the appeal of being out here. It was necessary for creating alliances, but in the end, it was best to keep things to business. Thankfully the bruises on his throat were little more than a dull yellowing, but he was still keenly aware of them. His collar and tie hide almost all of them. They reminded him that he had much work to do.]

[The tension around them has shifted, turning from previous casualness into something more tight and reserved. And like always, leave it to Whitey the Boar to pick up the subtle changes first before his master. Whitey had been sniffing on the grass and poking the dirt with his pink snout, perhaps in hopes of finding some hidden food and what not. And once the anger slips into Silco's words the pig reacts almost immediately, raising his head from the ground and letting out a nervous squeal. After that Whitey runs off, hiding somewhere in the bushes nearby as if fearing that something was going to happen.

Richard, in return, turned his attention briefly away from his practice to watch as Whitey disappeared behind the green leaves. Figures, he thinks to himself and turns his eyes back at Silco.]

I am not. The power of a king is measured by his people. They have power to take down those who they claim unworthy. [The irritation and displeasure were evident in Silco's voice and posture. Although Richard couldn't quite picture why. As far as he's concerned he's spoken no ill of those born into lesser ranks than what his own, having first hand experience in just how much power they possessed. At the end his ultimate opponent had been the hearts of peasants and his future subjects. If he could not make them believe that he was benevolent and just there would only had been another uprising as he sought to claim the throne.] And without God in this forsaken land I do not see much difference between us. We are all nothing but sinners.

[Richard had sinned, gravely so, and flown too close to the sun. Only to have his wings torn off and thrown into this unknown, bizarre land of purgatory. It's something he believed that bound him, Silco and everyone else present together.] Take it, whether you seek for my council or not. As a friendly advice from one that is interested to see how will you use that power to shape this land into your image.

[Silco's eyes also moved to the pig when the creature squealed and headed for the underbrush. That two-hundred pound beast outweighed him and could very likely gore them both, and yet, it apparently felt the urge to run for hills. Well, that made him feel a momentary sense of gratification before it was wiped clear with his previous mood returning.]

How would you know? You aren't a king. [He had seen the man called a Duke, though how the hierarchy worked where Richard was from he didn't know. He had been treated as an inconvenience at best and an object to be hated, used and abused by those in the Uppercity when they wanted some fun. It was true that such treatment created revolutionaries, and he had all been about taking heads and instilling fear in those with power over them to force change.

But he'd been smarter than that. He had learned early that he had to have something more. Hextech had forced him to change his plans from all out war to a slow, insidious gathering of power to force change.]

Even with God or whoever you worship, we are all sinners. Sinning is what we were made to do, and being made to feel guilty for enjoying our nature is the greatest lie they will tie you up in.

[Silco wasn't interested in changing who he was, and he wasn't in the mood for advice. It was hard enough not being in his head being reminded of how he had ended up here in the first place.] Is that what it is about? Friendship? [He scoffed at the idea; he didn't have friends.] I don't care to shape it in my image; I'm not doing it for me.

[It might not matter in the end, of course. Perhaps this world along with their own should just burn.]

[The remark came out as a jab, maybe more than what Silco had originally intended. After all, the older man was not aware of true nature of Richard's ambitions and just what he had been doing in his world before arriving here. To knock down the divine and just, and place a demon on a throne. And he had came so close to achieve it. Coronation date set, people's favor obtained and all enemies defeated. But guess God was really determined from keeping him away from becoming a king and banish him from the paradise.]

No. But I am still a subject, aren't I? [The tone in his voice drops down a few notches down to the colder. He then turns around to shoot another arrow. Though, this time he does so more hastily, missing the mark just barely. Seems like the irritation in the air is contagious kind.] Call it whatever you want. [He scoffs back, taking out yet another arrow. He still has couple left to shoot. Richard wouldn't call them friends either. Acquaintances maybe? Allies of sorts? Who knows. But not friends.

He places arrow on its place and draws the bow. But before releasing the arrow he decides to go for it:] What are you angry about?

Perhaps. But you stand next to the seat of power, could probably warm it when your brother is indulging in his vices. [He had no doubt that Richard provided valuable contributions to the ruling bloodline, evidenced here by the fact that the younger man was out here practicing skills that Aldrip likely wouldn't put to use as readily as a King might.] You are to the peasants what God is to you perhaps, watching the scuttle of life below from an ivory tower.

[He noted the change in tone, and for all that they had had some positivity bizarre interactions compared to other people he met with, Silco was not upset to decrease the temperature in Richard's voice. If he was going to walk this path alone, he'd burn the forest around him his own way. Allies, perhaps, but even they needed to have that fear in them to not cross him. That's what this place was missing.

Yet, he stopped himself from simply walking away when it seemed the conversation had devolved when he was called out. Slowly, he turned his head to regard Richard standing with that bow ready to let fly. He realized that he was angry. Still in control but angry to cover over the complex emotions twisting him up internally. There were a rare few that would dare to nudge him: Sevika, the Doctor and neither of them here.]

A personal matter. [He stated it like he was talking about the weather, off-hand as he reigned himself in. Then he stood in silence and considered the value of divulging. No one had asked him that - maybe too scared to - and the one person who he had as a support walked out on him when he had needed her most.] I was killed in the Tower. My ally has ceased communication with me over the incident.

[The very, very abridged version of the nuanced complexities of decades of history crammed into a small iota of time. He lifted a hand and pulled down the collar of his shirt and tie to reveal more of the yellow bruising as the last indications of his throttling.]

[At first Richard believes the root of Silco's ire to be just that. Frustration over the differences of class and how being born in different societies has treated them. A ridiculous thing to get angry about, Richard thinks. Peasants are peasants, lords are lords. Both have essential part in creating a balance in world, there was no need to be upset about such fact. And besides. Had they not already admitted to one another, at least in some manner, that they were nothing but monsters seeking to destroy that balance.

Well, whatever. If Silco truly was that thin skinned that he grew antsy over a simple fact of life then it was his loss.

He shoots the arrow through the air, aiming it on the target painted higher on the tree. And sure enough, it lands where it's supposed to. Only two more targets left. He makes a quiet "hm"-sound as a sign that he's indeed listening. Richard monetarily lowers his bow to take out another arrow, looking back at Silco mean time---

--Ah. That must have hurt, is the first thing he thinks as he lays his eyes down on the healing bruises around the man's neck and throat. Such unpleasant and painful way to go.

For a moment Richard doesn't say anything and just stares while keeping his facial expressions neutral. It's less the injury that has him nailed to the spot but the fact that Silco had truly died and came back. A dark resurrection back to their punishment. He had known the fact but it still was different to witness it.

Then, staying true to his fashion and continuing the odd tradition of their relationship, Richard moves closer and closes the gap between them so that he could reach with his free hand to place fingers over Silco's, carefully pulling the collar even further. The Tower had been a place of trials and tribulations. There was winners and losers...]

Was the price worth it?

[He could deal with the insinuation or overt discussion of his lack of birthright in most cases, though he wasn't above bringing a high born low either. They had their uses and much like the Undercity, they all had their price. It was a matter of discovering what sort of illicit activities they wanted and needed and providing an avenue. He didn't want a crown, didn't want to be king, and he certainly didn't normally care about receiving advice.

However, he was tired from a chronic lack of sleep, perhaps made worse by a diet of cigars and whiskey. He was continuing on in a way with business as usual on the outside, but he'd let the mask slip here.

He'd also definitely undersold the 'ally' portion of the tale of his death. After all, Jinx was his world, especially here, and he was building an empire to pass down to her whether she continued with its productivity or burned it to the ground. Certainly, he took pleasure in it, but Jinx having such a strong revulsion to his death - and he assumed the sister had actually died too but hadn't confirmed - had left a big hole where his attention and focus normally was. It wasn't as if he had friends, allies or even many enemies here; he was playing it safe because this place provided him an avenue to get what he wanted without the usual tactics.

He had reports of Jinx's activities, of course. She might not be speaking to him, but he made himself available and kept tabs on her. If this was a longer-than-usual-silent-treatment, he hadn't decided how he was going to focus himself. Currently, he apparently was out here watching Richard plug arrows into a tree. Better than contemplating both the trauma he was still grappling with and the temporary loss of his daughter.

He tugged the collar of his shirt back up over most of the bruising; he wondered if everyone showed injuries when they returned or if it was the place's special reminder to him alone. His attention shifted as the younger man approached as he straightened his tie again, pausing when he felt the warmth of Richard's fingers on his own nor how his collar was drawn back down.]

Is dying ever worth it? The only bright spot was making her pay with her own life. [He assumed.] I would have gone far in that tower if not for that one occupant. It's a moot point. I died and I still have the same question in my head: have I had enough?

["Victory or honorable death." That is the motto that Richard and others had stood behind during the War of Roses. Despite having gained more insight and grown out of naive fantasies of glory, he still believed that there were some things that were worthy enough for one to gamble their lives. Just like crown had been for Richard. He was very painfully aware that all it took was one small mistake and his body would find its way to the flames of stake, tortured and beaten.

Richard does not dare to extend his fingers to touch the skin in front of him. Instead settles with just observing the discoloration of the bruises marring the delicate area with keen eyes.]

Scars and bruises are lessons carved on our bodies. [He says, echoing Silco's own words from their prior meeting. Richard doesn't know the details of the circumstances or just what had went down in the tower, but he does feel like whatever it had been has brought Silco to crossroads of sorts. What was the lesson that this recent trauma left on the man. And was it enough to make him quit or would he continue.

Time to see just how strong and the monster truly was.]

And if you have what is the alternative for you?

[Silco did believe that there was a lesson to be learned from his death, even if it was the verify all those rumours about death not having permanence here for some. Perhaps in the Tower for him, but he knew the sister had returned as well so the pair of them had shown that this place hadn't seen fit to be rid of them at the moment, even if it had been an outward fear of Jinx's. In time, he would even come to understand more of the situation because of this he was certain of it.

He snorted softly when his words were about-faced on him, and he nodded his head slightly to acknowledge them.] And so they are. These will fade with time, but I will always remember the feel of those fingers around my throat and how consciousness was stolen from me. [He had fought, of course, and in a sense, he had also won that contest of tempers between them on some level. Even if she didn't die, she would be horribly injured and requiring extensive recovery.

He regarded Richard for a long quiet moment at the question, and at the end of it, he lifted a hand so he could use two fingers to tuck the ruff of dark hair back behind the younger man's ear.] If I have reached the end of my strength, then I have no point of being here. Retirement where I'm from is a permanent cessation. There is much for me to do, even if the one I am doing it for will punish me for as long as she sees fit.

[There is no reaction from him when the fingers reach out to brush his hair. The golden eye stares back the damaged red one in silence, listening to the words. A small smile appears on his lips. Silco is right, there is no stopping for men like them. Not as long as the breath runs in their lungs.]

Body and mind will remember. [He says in agreement and raises his other hand to place on top of Silco's fingers, the leather of glove concealing the ugly burnt underneath it. A small sign of comradery. ]

And what do you get out from doing this for her? Love? Gratitude? Salvation?

Body and mind will remember. Those memories will either break you or forge you to something stronger. [He liked to think that he would build stronger walls, prepare himself better so that there would never be a repeat performance. And even if there was, perhaps this place would see fit to keep him here given his dedication to making a life here. Isn't that what the Council and powers-that-be wanted?

His fingers twitched under the feel of Richard's, and he was aware of the warmth emanating even with that glove. He was reminded of the scars that Richard concealed with various tactics, and it was not uncommon. Silco did the same when it suited the narrative he needed.]

Legacy. [She would survive, and he hoped she would survive. She could hate him for the end of time - and such an outcome would wound him deeply - but he would continue.] She is perfect, and I would burn this world down if it meant she could continue as she wants to be. That is the sacrifice I make for legacy.

[Unlike Vander, there would be no proud statues honouring him. Perhaps he would be spoken of with fear and respect for a generation or two, but history was written by the victors and Zaun had yet to succeed.]

[Body will remember what mind does, and vice versa. Richard can agree with that. Though, he is not entirely convinced which effect the recent encounter and the marks left by it has had on Silco. They both know that there is no such thing as pulling back nor stopping for men like them. Giving up would equal death for them. And yet, he can see the traces of doubts wavering in the man's resolve.

Richard understands the meaning of legacy, better than most he assumes. The strength of a king is not only measured by the present but also the memory that he leaves behind. Their time on the earthly kingdom is only limited one, and once that time is up it's up to their legacy to keep their memories alive. To keep alive. A king without an heir is a dead one. But yet, the Silco's words make it seem like he is already looking into the time without him - unconcerned with his own life. It's like conversing with a ghost.

Richard, once again, finds himself from wondering what had truly been the reason why his own father had desired the crown for himself the first time. Why had he tried to grasp on the light of paradise. Had it been for himself? Or for his sons?]

I see. [Richard hums, letting go of Silco's hand and moves back, leaving the man's personal space. He takes few steps back but doesn't return back to his practice just yet.] And if she does not want your empire, what then?

[His fingers twitch where the warmth faded as Richard's grip released and the distance grew between them. It took him a moment to recognize the lurch on his gut as a sign of his discomfort to have lost Jinx for so long already. Was he using Richard to fill the gap that she left as he had nothing else by his empire of dirt? They had a strange manner when they were around each other, and no one else thus far had dared to come close to touching him with any kind of curiosity or familiarity.

Just Richard. Just Jinx.

Yet, it was the question that caused him to close his blue eye as he allowed the effect of it to wash over him. What then indeed. So far he had convinced Jinx to want what he wanted, but this wasn't Zaun. This place wasn't full of their struggling people, downtrodden and stepped on by the higher society. This was Aldrip, a pathetic illusion of what society was supposed to be and without any of the nuance entertainment of his own city.

He finally regarded Richard after an extended silence, and for just a moment his professional mask slipped to reveal the pain of the question and the loss of a daughter. Almost like he was grieving both.] Then it falls to the scavengers and everything I did was little more than a side-note in a history book. Assuming this place bothers with history... if not, then my life and goals equate to my death: a zero sum.

[He sighed and turned away.] Return to your practice. I need to return to work. [His empire of dirt.]

am i able to take time off?

With notification of dates or times, yes.

i'm interested in going on that expedition to the desert. i guess i don't know how long its expected to be.

Agreed. Provide me a debrief upon your return. It will be useful for exploration beyond our borders. Do you have enough equipment?

[Needs to have him come back mostly in one piece after all.]

[Awesome.]

i can do that.

i'll have to see what the others have. if i need anything i'll let you know.

Good. A map with paths taken would be worthwhile if you have time. I'll supply you. The others of the expedition can supply themselves.

i'll try to make one if no one else does.

that's what i expected. i might want to pick up extra ammo but i don't know if they'll have things i can use for camping or whatever.

[He doesn't really mind roughing it, though.]

The forge will be able to provide ammunition should you require it.

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