[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.]
[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.]
i am bound by loyalty to protect him, yes. but i am also loyal to you. if his offense truly is grave enough as you are painting it to be i will not hesitate make him pay for it.
He made accusations against how I conduct myself and decided the best course was to stick his nose where it doesn't belong regarding my closest relationships.
[so charles had.. criticized silco and thus now earned a death sentence? sometimes richard is reminded just how childish his lover could truly be.]
when the altercation between your daughter and me happened i had enough respect for you not to keep you in the dark about the details. i should not have to corner the answer out of you.
very well. i will stand aside for one opportunity. but only for one. i will not aid nor stop you from getting justice for yourself. if you break these terms or speak of this to a soul, it will not be charles you face but me.
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