conflictresolution

[ but the subject of inflecting pain on others does keep her from spiking to the extreme level of anxiety, and she instantly glances over her shoulder when he questions what kind of pain would fulfill her. his daughter stretches over to the table the best way she can, and without removing herself from his lap, straining herself until her fingers finally touches a certain silverware from her forgotten meal.

when she settles and faces her father again, in her hand is a knife, and she takes a hold of silco's hand to force him to hold it along with her. the craze yet eerily devoted smile plasters across her freckled face again, and she caresses her cheek against his knuckles, her own, and the sterling silver. ]

The kind of pain you're best at. ... Use your silver friend.

[ she coos sweetly as she screws her eyes shut to soak in her pipe dream again. ]

— I can't hurt him on my own, my flock will get mad. But you can. You can hurt him... for what he said to me. I'll hurt Ekko for threatening you, if you hurt him for calling me...

[ jinx pauses, tightening her grip over silco's. ]

I'm not fake. And I'm not vulnerable or replaceable.

[granted, richard didn't say that, but sevika's words do haunt her from time to time. especially if she were here to witness all of this, she would have a field day over the fact silco has a lover, and possibly hoping her boss will finally toss jinx out of his and her life. and it's a blessing she isn't here. ]

[It had been awhile since she had been so overtly possessive of him, and while he recognized the unhealthy nature of it, he still appreciated the gesture after the growing uncertainty of her long-term loyalty after he had died and then ended up here. He reached up and patted the back of her hand with his own.]

We are forever, you and I. [He didn't deny it. Even the looming threat of her distraction by a new boy toy didn't change that on his end.] You never have to be concerned about my loyalty to you, Jinx. No matter the people in our lives, the activities we do separate from one another, or how this place may try to tear us apart. I'm your family.

[He made a low hum of understanding of her obligation to vet the people that he happened to hang around with. There would always be a risk with strangers and allies alike. People had agendas and those could come into conflict at any time, but if they were fortunate, the larger drives would keep them united. Those with conflicting agendas had to be put in their place and eliminated, he did agree; that game was more difficult as it required outsmarting them.]

We will always be at risk of associating with those with conflicting agendas, but it's how we manage that situation these days. We mustn't give them reason or an excuse to interfere with us. And if they do, I trust you to issue consequences for that, and I would do that same on your behalf.

[His hands lifted to hover over her body when she moved and stretched out, waiting to have to catch or support her if she slipped off of his lap or the table moved in her attempt to retrieve a knife. Otherwise, he remained exactly where he was, a solid weight under her own, supporting her as he always tried to.

He took the knife at her insistence, feeling its weight even as she shared it with him. His fingers flexed around the hilt as he turned the tip of the blade away from her face as she nuzzled his knuckles. She was still leaning into her euphoria, and he made no effort to snap her out of it, aware she would come out of it on her own in time.]

No, you are not fake nor replaceable. [He knew Richard had never said those things, having followed the conversation in the background.] Why do you believe your flock will be angry if you hurt him?

[ she opens her eyes again, but only half-lidded, and she delicately releases her clasp on her father's grip as she drops her head against his chest. his daughter knows his words are true, and she should really have more faith that his lover won't just elbow her in the stomach and have her on the background.

but the green-eyed monster and her anxiety continues to cloud her vision, and it's hard to contain it when she feels she lost this exact battle with her sister. ]

... Because we made an alliance. It was two against one at the voting. — And I want to make my people happy and give them what they want. They deserve it, ya know? ... I want to give them everything.

[An alliance, hmm? Silco considered that for a moment as Jinx settled in against his chest, mind working over the possibilities. A vote could be of value in certain circumstances, and if the boy was involved, there would need to be a sense of fairness. Order within the chaos as it were.

Perhaps her revolution would go places. Perhaps not. It depended on the Chosen and their own perceptions of loyalty and agendas.

And yet...]

Who is your third? [She hadn't spoken of another in the mix of the revolution.]

Fanny.

[ — although, the moment the nickname slips pass her lips, jinx realizes that it probably won't be of any help to silco on who she is referring to. ]

Er, Fandaniel. You met him yet? He talks super funny, and I don't get what he says half of the time. Fancy babbling makes my ears bleed.

[He recognized the full name once it was provided, and yes, he had met that one. He could understand Jinx's reference to strange manner of speaking because it was a unique mannerism. He found it interesting that the newcomer had allied so quickly with Jinx.

He would have to look into the man closer. An alliance of three over two was unexpected, and yet, he could see Jinx still being the face.]

I've had a conversation with him, yes. He sees purpose and productivity in your cause?

Mmhm...

[ she hums her response, suddenly her mind seeping in a sluggish state where words are hard to come by. it something that tends to happen to her a lot during her mental splits. she gets worked up, the cogs in her mind get stick and jammed, the fumes overheat due to frantically wanting to spin correct way again, until finally... things paces back to normal.

it's an exhausting process, and she loathes the reality of how long it can take for her to be a-okay again. but at least she's in her father's arm as she recharges, not with someone who doesn't understand the way her brain works. ]

He thinks I can do it...

[ his daughter mutters as her index draws invisible circles and designs over his attire. ]

[He was in no rush to get her up and moving, aware of the taxing mental energies that overcame her at times. It had been quite awhile since she had endured a swing mood with him like this, and he would prefer that she rest and recover when he was nearby to be certain she was alright.]

He isn't the only one, you know. Whatever it takes for you to believe in yourself.

[ she is silent for thirty seconds or so, taking in the way his lungs expands and loosens within his chest. but jinx shifts slightly to peer up at her father with large eyes, and a twinkle of hopefulness radiant through her pinks. ]

... Tonight, can we not go to our, you-knows, and just crash here together?

[He was content to lapse into silence, rarely ever finding their silences to be uncomfortable. He tipped his chin down towards his chest when he felt her head shift, peering into her pink eyes. He made a low noise of acknowledgement.]

Yes, that's fine. As long as it remains just us then.

Only us, promise. I'll even turn off my phone.

[ she settles her head back against his chest, although this time, she screws her eyes shut to take in a deep breath before exhaling it through her nostrils. ]

... All I want is you right now. Nobody else.

[ is this rather clingy? possibly. but having this sudden overwhelming feeling of being around him and alone is bubbling and swelling behind her rib cage. and she believes if she doesn't be with him tonight, her chest might ache and break into two. ]

You don't need to turn off your phone.

[He knew that it was important for her to keep connections going; he also knew that it was best for her to be available with a budding revolution in the works. It was a heavy burden at the start, but once there were actions happening then it would be better.

He nodded at her clinginess, and he admitted it was... nice. It reminded him of the times when she was still small and those private moments when she was this age. He ignored the idea of a co-dependency; he and Jinx were family and this was how they showed it. That was their normal.]

No one else, yes. I'll leave work early.

Hmmm.... okay. Maybe I'll ask a favor while I'm at it. Get someone else to check on the cats, and I'll just crash here 'till you come home.

[ her voice sounding more and more like a lulled purr, knowing she'll need to get up soon, but he has gotten a little too comfy for her. and this is as close to cuddling with him she will ever get. unless she attempts to coax him to share a bed with her. but that's an ask for later. ]

We can grab a pizza, get your cigars, play soft jazz on my gramophone, play poker. Or maybe give you a trim. How's that sounding?

I assume cats are fairly self sufficient...?

[What did he know about pets? Whatever Richard had taught him about them, and even then, he had never owned one. He'd been told that cats could make their own way, but it was interesting that Jinx was so dedicated to them so early on. He wondered how long until one made its way to their home, and he'd have to put up with that.

He wrinkled his nose at the mention of pizza. The baked sandwich, of which he already was formulating his argument about to poke a little fun at his daughter over.]

You should play the music you want to listen to, just at a normal volume. And I'm willing to entertain a open faced baked sandwich for dinner, yes.

[Everything else they could figure out at the time.]

They're not sandwiches, Dad...

[ she murmurs sweetly as she shifts carefully to plant a tiny kiss underneath his chin. and as much as jinx wishes to protest in movement, his daughter finally shimmies off his lap, but not without doing it in such a sluggish fashion. and when she is on her feet, she presses her index and middle to her temple to ease an ache. ]

Ngh... — I think I'm gonna lie on the couch now.

They sound like sandwiches...

[He didn't move under her brief kiss, sighing from his nose now that the storm had seemingly passed for the most part. He moved his arms to provide a small assist for her to slip from his lap, stretching his legs out before setting the back on the floor so he could push himself to stand up.]

Very well. Can I bring you anything?

[ she'll argue that, but when she brings the pie over later, it will finally settle this little argument once and for all. although to his question, his daughter puckers her lips together to briefly think, then finally asks: ]

Do we have any painkillers? ... Besides just Shimmer. Not in the mood to huff, and I don't think it'll help my headache.

[Do they have painkillers? What kind of drug crime lord would he be if he didn't have drugs? It was almost an insult that she would have to ask in the first place. He huffed noisily, shaking his head as he rose from his seat and went into the kitchen with their plates.

He came back with a bottle of pills and tossed them at Jinx on the couch.]

Take one and if the headache doesn't resolve in thirty minutes, take a second.

[ look, maybe he swallowed them all or handed them all out to people while she was out being her jinxie self! she's not always on top of her father, which is weird wording, but the player is still trying to wake up and is meta narratoring because she feels like it. anyhow, writing for reals.

there's a small grin on her face as silco disappears with the dishware, and then goes off to seek for medication. it's fun to see her father get all touchy sometimes when their topics aren't so serious, and feelings get bruised. so when she is on the couch, and he returns to her, she catches the bottle with that mischievous smirk still plastered wildly on her, knowing one-hundred percent she just poked him in a not so funny bone with her request. ]

Thaaanks, Daaaaadd ♪. You're the best and I love you.

[Silco tried to look annoyed about the whole topic, but it was for Jinx so he was willing to let it slide regarding his reputation. Besides, she needed those it seemed. Yet another contentious conversation to set the day, and he expected far more on the horizon.

He made a 'hmmm' noise at her calling him 'dad', shaking his head a little as he moved off to gather his papers and notebooks for the day and put them in a bag which he often took to and from work.]

Yes, yes, I know you do. I need to tie up a few loose ends this morning, but I'll come home shortly after noon.

Fine. But I expect a "I love you too" when you get home. If I don't get one, I'm sending you to your room and taking away your toys.

[ with that, she flops back onto the sofa as she unscrews the cap — fishing out two capsules to swallow down. ]

[Silco stared at Jinx on the couch, expression closing at the demand. This was not the first time that she had pushed and shoved and threatened if he didn't say those three little words. He liked to think he showed those emotions in other ways without having to verbalize them so directly. It was... a lot to admit when it shouldn't be given they were just words.]

I see. Considering I don't have toys, that will be a tall ask.

[He made a mental note to put away his bag of accounting books just in case. He finished packing, taking a few extra unnecessary items in case those would also be on her hit list.]

Do you need me to drop by the café on my way home?

... I would like that. You know, just in case I can't get in touch with anyone to check for me.

[ she smiles warmly to him as she really settles in by fluffing the pillow the way she wants it behind her head. hopefully though, she can reach vash or some other stooge to fetch them some pizza so neither of them need to go and do any extra work. ]

Very well. I can... feed and water them.

[He could do that much, though overfeed and probably overwater were keys here. It was better than starvation, he supposed. He nodded his head as he closed his pack, picking it up as he observed her from the couch. He lingered watching her for longer than usual, contemplating this sensation of distortion in their relationship; it felt a little similar to when the sister came back but more... from one direction.

Maybe that's why he still felt he had a bit of control. That's what was important; he could hold them together if he had to. He was brought back to the question that made him understand Vander so much more: was there anything so undoing as a daughter?

Shaking his head slightly, he pulled himself out of his reserved contemplation and headed for the door.]

I love you. I'll see you later.

[There, he said it. Okay, muttered it.]

[ her father does show his love in actions, yes, and she notices them when he does. it's just sometimes, she would like to hear it too. especially when her voices enjoy tormenting her that the actions of an individual have some sort of twisted, selfish meaning behind them. jinx does her hardest to ignore them, but she trips over their traps now and then — primarily when she has them to thank for snapping her out of that other alternate life they all once lived in. ]

... See you, Silco.

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