( 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.