[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.]
( 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. )
[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. )
[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.
( 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.
[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.]
( 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.
[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.
( 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.]
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branchandroot
action;
Date: 2024-01-16 05:30 pm (UTC)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.]
action;
Date: 2024-01-17 12:05 am (UTC)Yeah? So what?
action;
Date: 2024-01-17 12:49 am (UTC)And finally, success!]
Keeping your face hidden is good. We should do something about your blackened hands.
action;
Date: 2024-01-17 04:54 am (UTC)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. )
action;
Date: 2024-01-17 06:47 am (UTC)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.
action; cw: depression??
Date: 2024-01-18 03:18 am (UTC)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?
action;
Date: 2024-01-18 02:29 pm (UTC)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.
action; cw: more depressing thinking, probably will be like this throughout
Date: 2024-01-19 06:17 am (UTC)( 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. )
action;
Date: 2024-01-20 01:10 pm (UTC)[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.]
action;
Date: 2024-01-20 07:12 pm (UTC)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.
action;
Date: 2024-01-21 04:36 pm (UTC)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.
action;
Date: 2024-01-21 11:43 pm (UTC)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.
action;
Date: 2024-01-22 03:47 pm (UTC)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.]
action; ive missed tagging silllcooooooooooooooooooooo
Date: 2024-01-29 12:13 am (UTC)( 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. )
action;
Date: 2024-01-29 01:33 am (UTC)[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.]
action;
Date: 2024-01-29 04:46 am (UTC)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. )
action;
Date: 2024-01-29 05:08 am (UTC)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.]
action;
Date: 2024-01-29 11:31 pm (UTC)...
action;
Date: 2024-01-30 02:38 pm (UTC)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.]
action; cw: voices
Date: 2024-01-30 05:12 pm (UTC)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?
action;
Date: 2024-02-03 06:19 pm (UTC)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?
action;
Date: 2024-02-06 05:47 am (UTC)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. )
action;
Date: 2024-02-09 03:52 am (UTC)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.]