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[conflictresolution]

"Leave a missive, but be brief about it."

[Text | Voice | Video | In-Person]

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cw: nsfw, ptsd, dub-con undertones maybe?? Dead Dove Do Not Eat etc.

[traumaticus]

[When Silco and Richard originally began their secret dalliance their premeditated meetings would take place either in Richard's house or at the upstairs of the Last Drop where the older man's office lied. However, ever since the departure of the man's daughter the nature of their intimate moments had changed from secrecy to something more domestic. Now that Richard had been living with the man for nearly two months there was no need for hushed and hidden encounters in the dark, not now that they shared roof.

And who knows. Maybe it was the lack of the prying eyes, which would love nothing more than to catch Richard on the act and make him face the music, that made him feel more bold than normally. Or maybe it was the silent ire and anxiety looming in their house because of that absence that made him move the way he did? Or perhaps it was the ever so damned, heinous hope that had slithered to his mind, gnawing and eating him slowly from inside out.

Or maybe he was just desperate and horny? That could as well be it.

Well, whatever was the case. There he was, climbing up the stairs in the Last Drop. And just like back in the 'old times' he was wearing his cloak that covered him from head to toe, veiling him in the darkness. The gloved hands pushes the door to the office open, and he walks in. He immediately closes the door behind and reaches for the lock, not wanting to risk in any of the outside world getting in.

Then, without saying anything he walks up to the desk, circling around it and places his hand on top of the paper stack, fingers spread wide. Wordlessly demanding his lover's attention.]

Busy night is it?

[conflictresolution]

[There had been a considerable internal conflict with Jinx's departure. At first when she was simply away, it had never seemed threatening to have Richard be at the house on a permanent basis. They still made certain to be careful when coming together at night and leaving one another's company in the morning, but the house was extremely safe from prying eyes. The Last Drop was similar, though Silco paid well and threatened even better if any of the staff even so much as whispered about Richard coming around more often than other people.

But Jinx did leave, disappeared from Aldrip and beyond, and he all of his spies had reported that she had no returned. It had given rise to an anger and pettiness that he unleashed on others and very rarely on Richard. His lover had filled part of the massive void in his life that Jinx had filled, but all of his objectives were stalled as he struggled for a few days to cope with his loss. The fact that the enforcer and sister also were gone was an indication of sweeping changes.

His moods were colder, sharper with everyone. He had no interest in being physically close on some days and was clingy and unbearable on others. He spent longer hours working because it was his natural inclination in times of stress as he realigned himself to consider how to make this place pay for what it had taken from him.

He was sitting back in his chair reading through reports of monster attacks and movements mostly, trying to discern a pattern when Richard entered. It wasn't unusual for his lover to find him here, nor was it unusual for the door to be locked for privacy's sake. He barely looked up from flipping from one paper to the next in his lap until the younger man had come around the desk.

His mismatched eyes looked up from the stack of papers still in his lap, sizing up Richard's mood for a moment.]

As busy as I choose to make it. There's always something worth doing.

[He'd seen all the cats of his daughter's cafe adopted and otherwise hadn't moved to repurpose it. He had recently set down money to gain retainership over the Lupin and the Kiramann detective agency. There was valuable information in both, and he took pleasure knowing both of them would hate it that he had any hand in such places.]

Are you here to make my night more or less busy?

december 23rd | 12AM.

[opheliac]

[who knows what silco is doing at this hour, getting ready for bed? working? prowling the town? well, whenever he decides to return home and make his way to the living room, there will be items resting neatly on the coffee table. and it's glaringly clear that these items were not here the last time he strolled by. taking a closer a look for inspection, he will come across these things:

① — a neatly folded outfit. and by the looks of it, definitely built for a feminine figure. a teenager size, if you will.

② — another neatly folded outfit. not in his style at all. although, the hoodie seems like something someone would wear.

③ — a doll. just who is this doll of? and why the blue hair and that trademark crop top?

④ — yet another tidily folded dress. if the first outfit with a skirt isn't alarming enough that these clothes are meant for a girl, this one certainly says it.

⑤ — unlike the other items so far, this one is on the smaller side of things. a necklace. how interesting. if silco ever decides to inspect it one further, maybe he can spot something intriguing about it. maybe within the rose there are two faces? both resembling two people who he is familiar with.

⑥ — this next one seems to be a record. one that will fit perfectly to jinx's gramophone. dare he listen to it? it may be chaotic, or maybe he wants to hear it because it could be some weird hidden message??? well, if silco decides to pop it in, the song will start off pretty alarming. almost as if this song is an anthem of someone's arrival. better watch out!

⑦ — last but not least, there's one more record. although this particular one, sounds way more gushy and romantic. how disgusting.

what could all of these items meaaaann? it's a mystery.]

Text 1/?

[conflictresolution]

[Silco, of course, noticed almost immediately as soon as he arrived home after the Last Drop closed up. He immediately picked through each of the items and had already come to the conclusion that all of this was meant for his daughter.

Who was no longer in Aldrip. The only reason that he didn't collect it all and throw it in a box for discard was because he immediately checked her network handle.

It actually popped up when he searched for it. She was back?! He moved to sit down and his breathing was rapid and chest tightened with hopefulness.

He searched her handle again and it was gone. Then it suddenly appeared again before he could make a disgruntled noise. This had to be an issue with her location or perhaps this place was playing tricks on him.

She was worth the risk. She always was.]

Jinx. Reply if you receive this.

2/?

[conflictresolution]

[He waited a few minutes. Unusual impatience gnawed at him.]

Jinx, I need your location. I will arrange for someone or myself to retrieve you.

3/?

[conflictresolution]

The network may not be completely operational where you are. As soon as you receive this, contact me.

4/? [voice]

[conflictresolution]

[He switches to voice on the off chance it might encourage her to contact him.]

Jinx? Daughter?

5/?

[conflictresolution]

[He tries for business as usual, but it falls flat in his tone.]

New items arrived for you. I am curious of your style change.

[A pause as he struggled to not blurt out something he would consider inappropriate.]

I will put it in a box for you, in case you are... agitated with me still.

6/6

[conflictresolution]

You know that I would give you the world, right? There isn't anything that I wouldn't give up for you.

Just... say the word. And let me know if and when you receive this. I l- you are my priority.

action;

[opheliac]

[although jinx reluctantly had to make a pit stop for her body to recharge, the rest didn't feel enough as she staggers on in the direction of her home. her calves are burning, and her feet (now wearing boots that are far too large for her) scream and beg for extra relaxation. but she's just so damn close, and she just needs to make it a few more miles. throughout her journey from ekko to now, her cold had worsened — her nose bright red against her pale complexion and a nasty cough to match.

she isn't too worried, however. she knows her father is furnished with all sorts of remedies, and once she's indoors again, she will be alright. if only her feet would quit weighing heavier and heavier on her. an idea spark in her mind as she collects her enormous amount of her hair into her arms. silco will most likely be at the door, or peeking out the window waiting for her, so maybe he can just meet her half way. the downside of this plan might draw attention to the other residence, but... she doesn't care. and her father probably wouldn't care too much either. so with that, she cries out to him:]

Silco...!! Dad, I'm home!!

[hopefully her shout is loud enough to reach him and he can dash to her.]

action;

[conflictresolution]

[He couldn't sleep. He mentally had calculated how long it would take Jinx to make the journey with a few breaks. He expected that she would push on to the limits of what even Shimmer would grant her, and after pacing the house and chronically checking his communicator to see if there was an update from her, he had finally left to smoke outside.

Richard had left. It was expected. It heightened his displeasure with the situation, but his focus was for Jinx right now. Two months was the longest they had gone no contact before; he didn't like it as much as he didn't enjoy there conversation days ago. She was... different. He needed to know more, needed to assure himself that this wasn't a trick being played on him by their captors.

He butted out a cigar in the dirt and was already pulling out his case for another when he heard the call, his head snapping in the direction of a voice he would recognize in his sleep. The case snapped shut and he tucked it back into his inner vest pocket as he made his way out of the yard and stared down the street towards the voice. He didn't consider himself sleep deprived enough to be hallucinating voices, and the time frame fit.

Unwilling to alert others to his daughter, he began to move in the direction of the voice that he had heard. For him, the pace was hurried compared to his usual long predatory strides. When he was closer, he dared to call out.]

Jinx?

take me to the church - backdated to xmas holidays

[traumaticus]

[It has already been couple days since Richard had left and made room for Jinx's return, bursting their shared domesticated bubble with his exit. And there had not been a word or a sign of him ever since. Who knows. Maybe Richard wanted to give the father and daughter some space to have their reunion properly. Or maybe it was to put distance between the lovers, returning things 'back to as they were' as they had talked. Well, who knows!

Well, either way. It's late in the night after the Christmas and there is a very familiar thumbing against the front door. If that wasn't enough to get Silco's attention it is followed by a rather loud squeal.

Let the pig in!!]

[conflictresolution]

[While they had discussed how the situation would play out, it had been a difficult adjustment to return to the distance with Richard again. He had his hands full with Jinx returning, and he had been hard-pressed to be convince himself to leave her presence for long. She was... different than when he had last seen her, which encouraged him to remain in the house or encourage her to come to his various work places.

After he had discovered that this place had pulled numerous people from Piltover and Zaun, he had not dared show his face to the Inn either. There would be too many opportunities for confrontations in that case, and he wasn't going to risk Jinx on a whim of his personal wants and desires. They had agreed to keep space.

Of course, Christmas was not a holiday in his city, so it was easy to overlook it. He knew the sound of Whitey at this point, so he left his office to check the front door. His daughter had settled in for some sleep, and she liked the albino boar anyway. He opened the door after the squeal and looked down at Richard's companion.]

You seem to be at the wrong location. Richard isn't here.

voicemail; earlier today!!

[opheliac]

[ silco is such a busy, busy man!!! soo busy, being a man, and a working man, and a scheming man. just so damn busy that there's a voicemail waiting for him. that's what happens when you own almost all of aldrip. anyhow, whenever he gets a chance to obey the robotic lady for him to press one to listen to his message, he will discover that it's his beloved daughter, jinx!

on her end, there's a lot of clanking of cups and dishes, machinery purring, muted music of whatever is currently playing through the café speakers (opera, probably), and stifled voices of customers and her workers conversing. sounds like a busy day on her side, too. ]

Hey, hey, Mr. Busy bee! Calling to let ya know I'll be a little late for dinner. I'm so swamped. Everyone's REALLY into my hot chocolate bombs. They're cleaning me out, ha ha!!

[ a beat. ]

But don't worry, I'll totally still be there. Nothing is gonna keep me away from your famous fish and chips!

[ then all of a sudden, she states the next bit of information extremely fast:]

Oh, and also Ekko asked me out on a date and I said yes, and have no idea when we're going, but I just thought I should let you know, because, uh. Ya know. — ANYWAY!! See you when I get home, Love you, BYE!

[ click. ]

action;

[conflictresolution]

[A voice mail? He had left his device on his desk while he dealt with a supply matter in the kitchens, and when he had noticed the flashing little light indicating a message upon his return, he did listen to it. The corner of his lip twitched in a smile at the sounds in the background; her café was seemingly a success and that would keep her focused.

Finally, his daughter was tapping into her workaholic potential on matters that he could encourage and relate to. He leaned back in his chair, enjoying himself. He had no issue moving dinner time back; it wasn't as if he enjoyed eating in the first place and did it to survive as a point.

Then the subject shifted, and any relish he had evaporated in her quick information dump. That boy! It was always that ridiculous freedom fighter encroaching on what was his! Silco spent the rest of the work day in a foul mood, snapping at his employees, sequestering himself away and throwing a little temper tantrum in his office as he worked through paperwork. He fumed and worked up his temper over the next several hours and instead of calling her back, he decided to nurse the fury in his guts as he returned to their shared home.

He prepped dinner and went to the couch and wait for his daughter, continuing to read this Bible and fuming. His body language was all tense and sharp and displeasure radiated off him.]

text | un: plantogetit

[traumaticus]

come and find from this location.

[And sure enough! There's a coordinates attached to the message. Now where could that lead hmmm]

Text / Action

[conflictresolution]

This had better not be a location where you cache your weapons.

[Silco finished up his current work and pulled on his coat to head to the location based on the coordinates. He could find his way easier than many based on coordinates and his familiarity with the city itself. So, he didn't have trouble moving in the direction of the location to find the kind of place that Richard had sent him for a visitation.

Normally, they were meeting at one of his businesses still. This was a change of pace, and once that left him curious as he sought out his lover.]

TXT; un: QUEENOFZAUN

[opheliac]

hey. one of the pilties are gone. the stuff n' fluff one.
and

im going to be crashing with ekko for a couple of days. ill still come home and all, and we'll still have dinner and everything.

just.

not breakfast.

Text;

[conflictresolution]

Our numbers dwindle. I suppose he has been voted out of the simulation.

Is there a reason that you're moving out for a few days?

audio; un: grimreaper666

[rebellions]

[ Okay, that's public service announcement taken care of... now he needs to make one more announcement, but he'd rather make this one private. ]

Hey, old man. See the mess outside? [ Of course he has, he'd have to be blind to miss it. But he has to start the message somewhere. ] Do me a favor and sit this one out, 'kay? I won't be able to protect you from that.

audio;

[conflictresolution]

[Silco had, in fact, seen the mess that was going on at the edge of town, though the cause wasn't readily apparent until Ragna's announcement. It made sense, he supposed. He didn't like that he was receiving a private message, finding it deeply uncomfortable and raising the old prickles of abandonment issues.

He made an aggravated noise at the theatrics. Well, Ragna did fit into the family dynamic well enough.]

What is this nonsense? I saw your announcement, and do I look like the fighting type? I hired you for that job. This isn't a touchy moment before you make a stupid self-sacrifice play, is it?

TXT; un: QUEENOFZAUN

[opheliac]

hello?

TXT;

[conflictresolution]

Jinx. What is it you need?

action; beginning of the month

[rebellions]

[ You know what? Consequences suck. Yes, it was his own actions that caused all the crap last month, including his own death, but while he was all gung-ho about accepting it and taking responsibility at the time, now that he's back to life he realizes that having to face the people who'd been affected by his actions is way worse than dying. In a sense, staying dead would've been an easy way out... so of course he couldn't count on it. He's already contacted Jinx, and that went... better than expected, all things considered? Though he's still wrecked with guilt for putting her through all that. Next up is her old man, and he's not looking forward to this one.

It feels like he's been standing in front of Silco's office at the Last Drop for hours, contemplating giving up and running away. The only thing keeping him away from doing that is his pride, though it also makes him want to avoid confrontation, leaving him at an impasse.

Well, no time like the present. Might as well rip off the bandaid and get this over with. Ragna finally knocks on the door, letting out a resigned sigh as he does. ]

Hey. ... It's me.

[ This might be the first time in his life he's actually waiting to be allowed in instead of bursting into the room. He almost winces at how meek he's acting; he's got no regrets, so why does it feel like he's guilty and about to be sentenced? It's probably too late to leave now... ]

action;

[conflictresolution]

[He was not expecting a visitation from Ragna any time soon, suspecting that the man would shuffle off to ooze guilt all over his daughter. He was fine with that, as there was a significant amount of work to do in a seemingly short amount of time, and he had already determined that he could trust Jinx entirely to Ragna. After all, the boy wasn't stupid enough to run out on her a second time; that would earn instant and permanent disownment on his part.

He was leaning over his desk, studying a map of Aldrip and a crude one of Rumpitur next to it. There were pins in the map of his businesses but others in areas of the city that he did not own but he considered as having strategic value. He did not look up from his work at the knock on the door, expecting it to be a staff member checking in on some order he had sent down earlier.

It wasn't until he recognized Ragna's voice that he lifted his head and stared at the door. He huffed and picked up his cigar to take a drag from.]

Don't just stand there with your tail between your legs, boy. Either come in or go back to Jinx.

[Silco had always been fueled by a willingness to nudge for progress, and now more than ever, it was in hyperdrive. He was considering how he could use Ragna for that end as well, assuming the man was in any condition to be useful. Both of his eyes were blue, the left glowing like the stone that Jinx so often tossed around, and he had a distinct healthiness to him.]

TXT; un: QUEENOFZAUN

[opheliac]

i lost a bet and now i have to be someone's slave for a whole month. plan my funeral.

TXT; literal worst month for this

[conflictresolution]

I assume this was a public display?

No worries, Jinx. I will take care of it.

txt; un: QUEENOFZAUN

[opheliac]

we got any metal and silicone left over?

txt; 1/2

[conflictresolution]

How much do you need? There is some at the Last Drop and the Shimmer and Shine.

Sentencing

[expi]

[You wake up in a courtroom. You're not really sure how you got here, just that you’re here. There's Jerry, sitting at the judges box. For some he might be new, and others he might be familiar or semi-familiar. He scrutinizes you, and then motions to the jury box. There’s a plaque that’s sitting on the outside that says "Council", but there's no one sitting there. Everything looks clean and maintained, but there's no one in the courtroom except you and Jerry.

Weird.]

You are charged with assisting in arson. In order to repent and further your rehabilitation, you have been tasked to set right the damage that you have inflicted upon the city. You along with others who have performed criminal activities will work together to restore the environmental and property damage caused by your actions. If you refuse to participate, there will be consequences.

[Jerry blinks down at you, fingers threading together as he looks down from the judges’ box.]

How do you plead?

[ooc: you have until July 9th to play out your sentencing. Even if your character doesn't participate with the Sentencing, you must comment on the NPC inbox for your penalty.

Also, there are effects for ignoring this Sentencing. Characters will show up to the damaged training grounds on time, and if they attempt to leave the grounds, they will experience nausea and dizziness and if they persist, they will lose consciousness and wake up back in the damaged training grounds. If they refuse to participate in the restoration activities, they will experience feelings of failure and guilt. They may even feel the urge to talk about these feelings with those charged with overseeing the restoration activities. If you have any questions about Sentencing, please let us know!

Jerry is interactive at this point, but we wanted to make sure you got your information in hand if you'd like to start plotting for your Sentencing!]