[He only set out band-aids with bright and colourful designs, knowing that those would be the ones that she would preference. He unwrapped them from the paper and allowed her to apply them unless she made indication that she wanted him to do it like when she was small.]
You don't have to apologize.
[He stepped in to kiss her lightly on the forehead then he went to cleaning up the kick, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.]
Were you distracted for any given reason? And I'll set the table.
[ the kiss to the forehead stills her heart for a millisecond, and her pink pupils gleam to match the light blush spreading across her cheeks. but quickly, she swallows down the bashfulness and resumes the cooking, and thankfully, all that needs to be done now is to pour the crab meat salad onto their loafs.
she wants to shake her head and tell him everything is fine, but again, that would be dishonest. but would lying to her father be okay if it means it's for the greater good? he deserves to be happy, and he is a way older adult and should be allowed to do whatever he wants.
even if it means things grow dire for her. but it'll be whatever, because silco knows best. he always does. no matter what. so there's no point in questioning or have doubt. but then why does she feel so uncomfortable about this new change? why is she so nervous about it? maybe she just... needs time to adjust? maybe that's it. or maybe she has a right to be cautious because of her curse and the way her life seems to enjoy toying with her. ]
I was just... [ a pause. ] — listening to my head. That's all.
[ because her thoughts and her voices are colliding to make one big ruckus in her noggin. and frankly, they haven't silenced since the treehouse. ]
[With the kit packed up, he moved it out of the kitchen to the living room again on the coffee table where it had been for days now. That task completed, he returned to the kitchen to open the necessary drawers and cupboards to retrieve cutlery and plates for the meal, though his mismatched eyes observed Jinx as she continued her own activities.
He paused from leaving the kitchen at her admittance, and he was able to easily surmise the kinds of comments would be coming from that dead snide little brat, Mylo. He signed from his nose, stepping out long enough to deposit the kitchen ware on the table so his hands were free as he returned and approached her to stand close without touching.]
And what are they saying?
[He found it best to let her tell him what she wanted to rather than pull it out of her. She could tell him as much or as little as she liked.]
[ with dinner finally done, she carefully sets the sandwiches on a plate to be carried to the dining table. she hadn't expected when she turned on her heel to have her father standing close, and she averts her gaze to hide her fluster while rolling a shoulder in an unconcerned shrug. ]
Oh, you knoooooow, this and that. Here and there. "You stink", "You're dumb", just every day stuff.
[ while that is what some are saying (the weaker ones, so to speak), jinx is purposely leaving out the stronger voices who are standing in the front of the line. his daughter side-steps around silco to set the sandwiches perfectly in the middle, but not without granting him a smile. ]
You'd think they'll come up with something else by now, huh?
[He hummed at the comments, watching her even as she moved around him with their meal for the night. He stayed where he was for the moment, and he remained stoic to idea that she was hiding actual relevant information from him. Still, she would tell him in her own time unless he found that she was greatly affected and then he would step in to assist.]
Their creativity remains childish at best, but considering they are still children, it does makes sense.
[He finally followed her to the kitchen table and pulled out a seat for her before he moved to take one for himself. He propped his feet up under the table on his heels, causing him to lean back in the chair more.]
As long as they aren't trying to twist you on what I disclosed earlier. Let them keep their paltry insults.
[ she takes the seat when he pulls it out for her and scoots her in, although when he mentions their discussion over via text, jinx sags in her chair faintly and her lips thin in order to keep her silence. she won't say they're not filling her with ideas and scenarios, and she also won't say they are.
but maybe she doesn't need to when her dejected expression and body language is more blinding than their kitchen light. her pinks dip away from her father's face, and more so onto his attire and his hands. to imagine he possibly touched someone's cheek with them besides her own makes her stomach twist within itself. but quickly, jinx mentally shoves that image in the back corners of her mind, because silco said so himself that there's no attachment.
... although, jinx was expecting the same thing with quentin at the start, and look how that turned out for her. she just wanted to have fun with him at scott's housewarming party and during her birthday, but came out having a boyfriend somehow.
and she can't help but to worry silco will trip over the same wire as her. what if he gets obsessive and behave like a lost puppy over this mystery person, like vi is with caitlyn? people act in so many different ways when that kind of intimacy comes into play. and she's never witnessed silco being in love or googly-eyed with another person, so it makes the unknown even more frightening.
jealousy is beating along with her heart too, seeing the chosen coupling with each other (emotionally attached or not) makes her feel so undesirable. with that feeling swelling, she, too, shoos it away with the image of silco being intimate. jinx doesn't need to spiral down that rabbit hole.... again. at least not now, anyway.
but tonight, she'll do what she always do when she's feeling down. and that is to prowl through the quiet streets and enter homes of lovely local couples and hurt them so severely that they will look and feel undesirable, too. that way, she won't feel so alone in this. with her muscles relaxing just a touch about her after dinner plans, she straightens up in her chair, grabs a hold of her sandwich finally. ]
[He could have both of his eyes removed, and he would still be able to sense how her mood was troubled and twisted up. As much as people in their world liked to think it, Silco was no fool to how many of his actions affected those around him for better or worse. There were times when sacrifices needed to be made, but those that remained a loyal part of his faction he did what he could to keep them safe and provided for. That was the cost of loyalty to him.
But Jinx had been special. It hadn't meant to be that way honestly, as much as he had experienced a connection through similar life experiences when they had met. She had slipped passed his defenses without him intending for it to occur, and she stayed there, rooted in the closest sphere of his life as he encouraged her and provided her education and opportunities. She had always been special to him.
And he had seen how the sister had destroyed all that fragile confidence with the enforcer. It hadn't taken much - never did - but he knew. His actions would cause ripples, and her attitude despite her best efforts to hide it made it clear that her abandonment issues had risen to the surface. The timing likely didn't help after a month of her ignoring him and within weeks of them coming to a resolution, he had to admit that he had found comfort with another person.
And he would continue to do so as long as he and Richard found benefit in the trust they had developed with one another. He didn't expect it to last after all. Why would anyone associate with a monster like him for any length of time? This was his first non-monetary sexual relationship he had had since... no, he wasn't thinking about that.
Instead, he pulled his chair in further from the table and picked up the sandwich in his hands. He took a small bite and chewed thoughtfully as he determined the differences between this one and previous iterations.]
It is good. I enjoy the changes you made. [He wiped the corner of his mouth with the pad of his thumb.] You are aware you can talk to me about anything, yes?
[ relief washes over her from his approval, and a faint smile dances on her lips while she chews. finally her cooking seems to be showing some promise and maybe her bakery know-it-all won't be in shambles after all. though still, she holds her gaze down to her meal and her bandaged fingertips — using it as an excuse for her short replies. ]
I know.
[ she says, gulping down then wiping her mouth by using her forearm instead of a handkerchief. but the teenager knows that an answer like that won't be sufficient, so she adds a little more to make it lengthy. ]
Just don't have much to say tonight, I guess.
[ and that's because everything is based on her feelings than words, and what can she say that doesn't make her sound like she is starving for his attention, or she wants him to only see her and only her? it'll just prove mylo's point on what a freak she is. ]
[He nodded his head, accepting that she could talk to him knowing that his priority remained with her. If he could juggle this many businesses and have time for his daughter, he was confident that he could manage finding his way to Richard's bed now and again. If anything, perhaps he would be a touch less of a workaholic to balance his time better.
He took another bite of the sandwich, taking his time to chew the mouthful. He decided to let the topic drop, seeing that little nudges were urging her to open up. Perhaps she needed time to process more, and that was perfectly acceptable. Never before had Jinx been put in a situation where he ventured to anyone's bed. Time would make it clear he would not forsake her.
Swallowing, he set his sandwich back down so he could rise from his chair so that he could make his way back into the kitchen for a whiskey.] Do you have plans after dinner then? Also, do you want something to drink perhaps?
[ now that, she answers fairly quickly and is probably the first thing she has said so far that holds some strong confidence. ]
And no thanks, I wanna remember what I'm doing.
[ ominous? of course, and her eyes shift over to the drawer where all their knives are kept, then a swift glance to her father to just observe how well he's be faring with his recovery. ]
Your gang or someone else you're planning on playing with?
[He could suspect that she was going to act out any emotions that she was hiding behind those purple eyes where her voices egged her on. He never condoned her violence unless it was in a place where he had set boundaries; otherwise, he let her do mostly as she pleased.
He poured himself a whiskey and returned back to the table with his tumbler. He eased himself down into his seat and stretched his legs out to again so he could put his heels on the floor rather than the flats.]
Keep it tight and quiet, as always. Let me know if clean-up services are necessary.
[ which adds on more to her frustration and sorrows, it's like the council is trying to limit all of her escapism, or at least that's how it feels like to her.
she can tinker, sure, but what good is that if she can't aim her firearms on people? at her father's instructions, she frowns for the first time and snaps the loaf of bread into miniature pieces with her hands. ]
What's the point? The big wigs will know what I did anyway. And I don't want to be quiet.
A temporary problem. Find others to fit the same purpose for you until they return to you.
[There were other ways to find connection to fill those voids if and when they existed in her. He had to wonder if it would be smart to remain home tonight in case this situation was bombastic enough to require his immediate intervention with bribery and clean up.
He raised his eyebrow, giving himself time to consider his answer to her reply as he sat back further into his chair.]
I don't want you to invite Chosen intervention to your activities. Remove them from town then if you want noise. [He lifted his tumbler to his lips for a sip of whiskey.] Or I will cover your activities with something grander.
[Perhaps make up for the fact that he had put her in this position to act out like this in the first place. He had only been sentenced once, and the punishment of being dragged across the desert had been far worse than the pitiful community service.]
[ it is a temporary problem, but she is in no mood to try and find replacements, either. to find another ethan, abigail, william, and tabitha among the thieves just to spend time with her sounds too much of a chore, and they're the best in burglary besides herself. so to that suggestion, she makes no comment, but to the other his daughter flashes him a light flat expression before popping the bread into her mouth. ]
I'm hitting a lot of houses, Silco. Dragging every couple outside of town, then go back in again, takes too much time. It's easier to just do it in their houses and hop to the next. Who's gonna miss these losers anyway? They don't mean anything.
[ she takes a break to chew more, then starts: ]
You don't have to cover for me. Your plate's already full of so many things, don't let what I'm doing stop you.
[It seemed that this was going to be an all night torture and murder frenzy then, was it? He preferred to focus those tendencies towards work and missions, but for now, he was still building their little empire and didn't need anyone to guard cargo. Aside from Jinx herself, moving goods was laughably easy to do. Perhaps he would have to make more efforts to focus her outbursts of violence.]
Depends if this place is determined to try to pull on the heartstrings of other Chosen to interfere. Hence why I am saying keep it tight and quiet.
[He swirled his whiskey and watched her for a quiet moment, sensing some teenage rebellion in her words.]
Are you pushing me away, Jinx? I don't care to be at arm's length, if that's the case.
So what? Let them try and interfere. I'll give them a little present, too, so they won't feel left out.
[ her nostrils does flare a little at the question, but she breathes out for a second before speaking. she isn't going to do the same mistake twice and let her emotions get the better of her (even though it's prodding her already). jinx straightens her spine and lifts her chin, so her words can flow through her tongue easily. ]
I'm not pushing you away. I already told you that I'm not going to walk away from you ever again. And I meant that. I'm just [...] preparing. That's all.
[So caution was going to the wind... Well, he would prepare his own resources to provide her the necessary protections that he could.]
It would not serve us well to start a war between the Chosen at this time.
[He measured her response, but there was a definitely disparity between her stance, her words and the emotions he surmised that she was experiencing. He set down his drink and leaned forward so he could rest a forearm on the table as he turned to face her, drawing his legs towards himself again.]
Preparing for what exactly? Do you not believe that I will continue to make you my priority?
[ keeping her posture the way it is, she scoots her meal aside from now and grants her father a little staredown while maintaining her tone as cool as she can. ]
Oh, I believe you, I just know people. And people change and do crazy things when it comes to sex. Especially if it's not a hit it or quit it sort of thing. So I'm just prepping.
[He maintained eye contact with her steadily. His own meal and now drink was abandoned as he focused the full weight of his attention on her. His mind was following along her words and dissecting what she might mean by then.
He wondered if she claimed to know the change in behaviour as she was basing what he might do on her sister or even herself. He sighed from his nose.]
You perhaps have lost faith in me then to compare me to the way your sister treats you over her enforcer. Have I made you question my loyalty so much in the past?
[ she scoots herself away from their table and gathers to her feet, pacing slowly to move around with her bandaged fingertips dragging along the surface. soon, her slender fingers meet his sleeve, and they climb steadily to the curve of his shoulder until she is fully behind him.
his daughter hunches forward, her arms draping over each of his shoulders as she lowers her head to press her cheek to his. and when she speaks again, it's barely above a whisper -- like she is sharing a dark secret that's so sinister that not even the walls should listen in. ]
Your pet will force their way between us. They will use their body or whatever power they have to warp your mind when you least expect it... whether you want it to happen or not. They'll make you give into their every temptation, bend into their will, and it'll be so big that you can't fight it off. And if I try to break you from their spell, it'll mean what we have together will crumble forever.
[ her tone weakens and she moves her head ever so slightly so he can feel her lips part with each syllable. ]
You'll be lost... and I won't be able to reach you. ... And what will I do then?
Edited (Tagging with work phone is pain) Date: 2024-07-16 01:21 am (UTC)
[He remained seating as she rose, yet he was poised and tense as she came around to touch his arm then up to his shoulder. He lost sight of her as she moved behind him, yet he turned his head to the right as he felt her arms slide over his shoulders. It was then that he relaxed into her loose embrace, the trepidation fading as his daughter whispered her concerns into his ear.
While he had complete confidence in his ability to not lose focus on his priorities, he couldn't deny her points either. It hadn't been his lover's body at first to hold his attention beyond the scarring, but instead, he had been deeply curious of the tortured soul that was a fish out of water. When he had been at the bottom most point of his loneliness, it had been Richard he had gone to expecting nothing and receiving more than he ever bargained for.
He leaned back in his chair, into his daughter's draped arms and reached back with a hand until he could cup the back of her head. He was, perhaps, more free with some of his affection.] I won't let that happen, Jinx. We have found comfort in sharing some intimacy, nothing more, nothing less.
[He closed his eye, considering her question seriously.]
What I do here, I do for us, for you. Taking someone to my bed will not change that fact. I will not allow this addition whether it is short term or long term addle my mind so that I am neglectful of you.
[He was so determined on his own point of view of the world and himself that he didn't believe his foundation could be shaken.]
[ once she feels his hand resting on the back of her head, jinx nuzzles in deeper -- her nose caressing against the skin of his cheek but not without the light sniffling. she was doing so well without the tears or runny nose, but it looks like those two things will finally betray her. ]
... I know you won't. But they'll make you...
[ she hates that her tone is becoming unbalance and her vulnerability is showing, but she has to say this and warn him before any serpents make their way through before she gets her chance. ]
I've seen how they brainwash people. They won't care if I had you first, they won't care that you're mine and my home. They'll rip me away because they're selfish, wicked, and cruel. They'll want me out of the way, and they'll blind you so you won't see their intentions. Then I'll have no choice but to hurt or kill them.
... And then I'll lose in the end. That's what I'm preparing for. Losing.
[For his part, Silco surrendered into the role of patient father and the tension completely left his body as he stretched his legs back out under the table. There was no need to rise, not when Jinx nestling her face so close against his skin where he was aware of her breath against his skin and the noises of her being upset easily reached his ear.]
You believe so?
[It was an interesting concept to consider. When had anyone actually made him do anything against his own will in these last years? There were compromises of course, and there was altering his opinion and his intentions, but the goals had always seemed so clear. Yet, he didn't deny her fear or how she may know something he had locked away a very long time ago.
His fingers stroked her hair lightly in a comforting gesture. He hummed softly, acknowledging her feelings and her concerns.]
Is that what you experienced with those boys you allowed into your bed? They brainwashed you and tried to take you away from me, to cut me out?
[He was mainly considering that arrogant idiot, Quentin, but there had been the Firelight boy to start the ball rolling. Then there was the natives she dabbled with on occasion. With the Firelight boy's return though, he had to consider if what she saw as a threat to him was something he was now going to have to concern himself with in her.]
[ her lips feel so dry suddenly, and maybe she should have considered that drink after all because her throat is growing tight, too. the stroke over her hair feels so lovely and soothing, and it eggs her tears to trickle faster and become more obvious (if not that, then his cheek now becoming damp will be his first clue).
and it's this exact moment, this exact love between them is what she is afraid of losing. and while the love between her and her sister is strong, it could be unbreakable if it weren't for caitlyn's meddling, and the two sisters are still slightly rocky to this day. when was the last time jinx had seen vi's face or heard her voice? since the whole the last drop fiasco?
when her father brings up those questions, her heart aches and her sniffling increases, but not without a tiny blush brusing across her cheeks. in spite of this conversation, it's still a little embarrassing to talk about her previous sex life with a parent. ]
Q...- Quentin was the only one I let in...in that way. The nobodies are just ones and zeros. The council are making them up, so it's no real different than doing it to yourself.
[ and since they are discussing about this and essentially her ex-boyfriend, jinx... might as well fess up about something. ]
When Quentin and I first met, he wanted me to leave you behind. I told him that you and I were going to make Aldrip all ours some day, and he wanted me to rule it all without you and have it be just him and me instead.
[ nervously, she wets her lips and continues to croak through her words. ]
A-And I knew he could be dangerous, but I let him in anyway, because he felt too good. He made me feel...so pretty and I liked him in my head. But when I started to fall in love with him, he just....
[ she stops there, her silent sobs tangling with her tongue and forbidding her to speak further. ]
[She didn't remember the insect who started it all, and he would leave it that way. She had suffered enough traumas outside and inside of this place that he would prefer to protect her from more suffering if it was possible to do so. He was not willing to put his relationship with her at risk any more than he already had with his admittance, not when he had recently had her return to him.
He kept his face where it was so she could remain nestled there against his neck, and he was keenly aware of the moisture on his cheek. His fingers continued to stroke the back of her hair as he listened to her discuss that idiot who had always rubbed him the wrong way.
Yet, his fingers paused when she admitted to Quentin's meddling, he felt a flare of anger that burned hot in his throat. He had to take a deep breath and hold it, pushing his own emotions down because he now recognized this as potentially the source of her unease when it came to his own intimate association.]
And because that idiot pulled that with you against me, you have been lead to believe that my own experience may be the same? That I would even entertain cutting you out after all we have been through, you and I?
[Love was a dangerous emotion, and when it went sour, it was like poison in one's veins.]
It is a boon to us all that he is gone otherwise I would have ended his existence over and over.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
action;
Date: 2024-07-15 04:24 am (UTC)You don't have to apologize.
[He stepped in to kiss her lightly on the forehead then he went to cleaning up the kick, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.]
Were you distracted for any given reason? And I'll set the table.
action;
Date: 2024-07-15 04:43 am (UTC)she wants to shake her head and tell him everything is fine, but again, that would be dishonest. but would lying to her father be okay if it means it's for the greater good? he deserves to be happy, and he is a way older adult and should be allowed to do whatever he wants.
even if it means things grow dire for her. but it'll be whatever, because silco knows best. he always does. no matter what. so there's no point in questioning or have doubt. but then why does she feel so uncomfortable about this new change? why is she so nervous about it? maybe she just... needs time to adjust? maybe that's it. or maybe she has a right to be cautious because of her curse and the way her life seems to enjoy toying with her. ]
I was just... [ a pause. ] — listening to my head. That's all.
[ because her thoughts and her voices are colliding to make one big ruckus in her noggin. and frankly, they haven't silenced since the treehouse. ]
action;
Date: 2024-07-15 03:56 pm (UTC)He paused from leaving the kitchen at her admittance, and he was able to easily surmise the kinds of comments would be coming from that dead snide little brat, Mylo. He signed from his nose, stepping out long enough to deposit the kitchen ware on the table so his hands were free as he returned and approached her to stand close without touching.]
And what are they saying?
[He found it best to let her tell him what she wanted to rather than pull it out of her. She could tell him as much or as little as she liked.]
action;
Date: 2024-07-15 04:27 pm (UTC)Oh, you knoooooow, this and that. Here and there. "You stink", "You're dumb", just every day stuff.
[ while that is what some are saying (the weaker ones, so to speak), jinx is purposely leaving out the stronger voices who are standing in the front of the line. his daughter side-steps around silco to set the sandwiches perfectly in the middle, but not without granting him a smile. ]
You'd think they'll come up with something else by now, huh?
action;
Date: 2024-07-15 04:53 pm (UTC)Their creativity remains childish at best, but considering they are still children, it does makes sense.
[He finally followed her to the kitchen table and pulled out a seat for her before he moved to take one for himself. He propped his feet up under the table on his heels, causing him to lean back in the chair more.]
As long as they aren't trying to twist you on what I disclosed earlier. Let them keep their paltry insults.
action; cw: narrative talking about torturing locals in a severe manner
Date: 2024-07-15 07:23 pm (UTC)but maybe she doesn't need to when her dejected expression and body language is more blinding than their kitchen light. her pinks dip away from her father's face, and more so onto his attire and his hands. to imagine he possibly touched someone's cheek with them besides her own makes her stomach twist within itself. but quickly, jinx mentally shoves that image in the back corners of her mind, because silco said so himself that there's no attachment.
... although, jinx was expecting the same thing with quentin at the start, and look how that turned out for her. she just wanted to have fun with him at scott's housewarming party and during her birthday, but came out having a boyfriend somehow.
and she can't help but to worry silco will trip over the same wire as her. what if he gets obsessive and behave like a lost puppy over this mystery person, like vi is with caitlyn? people act in so many different ways when that kind of intimacy comes into play. and she's never witnessed silco being in love or googly-eyed with another person, so it makes the unknown even more frightening.
jealousy is beating along with her heart too, seeing the chosen coupling with each other (emotionally attached or not) makes her feel so undesirable. with that feeling swelling, she, too, shoos it away with the image of silco being intimate. jinx doesn't need to spiral down that rabbit hole.... again. at least not now, anyway.
but tonight, she'll do what she always do when she's feeling down. and that is to prowl through the quiet streets and enter homes of lovely local couples and hurt them so severely that they will look and feel undesirable, too. that way, she won't feel so alone in this. with her muscles relaxing just a touch about her after dinner plans, she straightens up in her chair, grabs a hold of her sandwich finally. ]
Let me know how you like it, okay?
action;
Date: 2024-07-15 07:40 pm (UTC)But Jinx had been special. It hadn't meant to be that way honestly, as much as he had experienced a connection through similar life experiences when they had met. She had slipped passed his defenses without him intending for it to occur, and she stayed there, rooted in the closest sphere of his life as he encouraged her and provided her education and opportunities. She had always been special to him.
And he had seen how the sister had destroyed all that fragile confidence with the enforcer. It hadn't taken much - never did - but he knew. His actions would cause ripples, and her attitude despite her best efforts to hide it made it clear that her abandonment issues had risen to the surface. The timing likely didn't help after a month of her ignoring him and within weeks of them coming to a resolution, he had to admit that he had found comfort with another person.
And he would continue to do so as long as he and Richard found benefit in the trust they had developed with one another. He didn't expect it to last after all. Why would anyone associate with a monster like him for any length of time? This was his first non-monetary sexual relationship he had had since... no, he wasn't thinking about that.
Instead, he pulled his chair in further from the table and picked up the sandwich in his hands. He took a small bite and chewed thoughtfully as he determined the differences between this one and previous iterations.]
It is good. I enjoy the changes you made. [He wiped the corner of his mouth with the pad of his thumb.] You are aware you can talk to me about anything, yes?
action;
Date: 2024-07-15 08:25 pm (UTC)I know.
[ she says, gulping down then wiping her mouth by using her forearm instead of a handkerchief. but the teenager knows that an answer like that won't be sufficient, so she adds a little more to make it lengthy. ]
Just don't have much to say tonight, I guess.
[ and that's because everything is based on her feelings than words, and what can she say that doesn't make her sound like she is starving for his attention, or she wants him to only see her and only her? it'll just prove mylo's point on what a freak she is. ]
action;
Date: 2024-07-15 08:33 pm (UTC)He took another bite of the sandwich, taking his time to chew the mouthful. He decided to let the topic drop, seeing that little nudges were urging her to open up. Perhaps she needed time to process more, and that was perfectly acceptable. Never before had Jinx been put in a situation where he ventured to anyone's bed. Time would make it clear he would not forsake her.
Swallowing, he set his sandwich back down so he could rise from his chair so that he could make his way back into the kitchen for a whiskey.] Do you have plans after dinner then? Also, do you want something to drink perhaps?
action;
Date: 2024-07-15 09:10 pm (UTC)[ now that, she answers fairly quickly and is probably the first thing she has said so far that holds some strong confidence. ]
And no thanks, I wanna remember what I'm doing.
[ ominous? of course, and her eyes shift over to the drawer where all their knives are kept, then a swift glance to her father to just observe how well he's be faring with his recovery. ]
action;
Date: 2024-07-15 09:18 pm (UTC)[He could suspect that she was going to act out any emotions that she was hiding behind those purple eyes where her voices egged her on. He never condoned her violence unless it was in a place where he had set boundaries; otherwise, he let her do mostly as she pleased.
He poured himself a whiskey and returned back to the table with his tumbler. He eased himself down into his seat and stretched his legs out to again so he could put his heels on the floor rather than the flats.]
Keep it tight and quiet, as always. Let me know if clean-up services are necessary.
action;
Date: 2024-07-15 09:41 pm (UTC)[ which adds on more to her frustration and sorrows, it's like the council is trying to limit all of her escapism, or at least that's how it feels like to her.
she can tinker, sure, but what good is that if she can't aim her firearms on people? at her father's instructions, she frowns for the first time and snaps the loaf of bread into miniature pieces with her hands. ]
What's the point? The big wigs will know what I did anyway. And I don't want to be quiet.
action;
Date: 2024-07-15 09:50 pm (UTC)[There were other ways to find connection to fill those voids if and when they existed in her. He had to wonder if it would be smart to remain home tonight in case this situation was bombastic enough to require his immediate intervention with bribery and clean up.
He raised his eyebrow, giving himself time to consider his answer to her reply as he sat back further into his chair.]
I don't want you to invite Chosen intervention to your activities. Remove them from town then if you want noise. [He lifted his tumbler to his lips for a sip of whiskey.] Or I will cover your activities with something grander.
[Perhaps make up for the fact that he had put her in this position to act out like this in the first place. He had only been sentenced once, and the punishment of being dragged across the desert had been far worse than the pitiful community service.]
action;
Date: 2024-07-15 11:23 pm (UTC)I'm hitting a lot of houses, Silco. Dragging every couple outside of town, then go back in again, takes too much time. It's easier to just do it in their houses and hop to the next. Who's gonna miss these losers anyway? They don't mean anything.
[ she takes a break to chew more, then starts: ]
You don't have to cover for me. Your plate's already full of so many things, don't let what I'm doing stop you.
[ ah, there it is. finally a little crack. ]
action;
Date: 2024-07-15 11:33 pm (UTC)Depends if this place is determined to try to pull on the heartstrings of other Chosen to interfere. Hence why I am saying keep it tight and quiet.
[He swirled his whiskey and watched her for a quiet moment, sensing some teenage rebellion in her words.]
Are you pushing me away, Jinx? I don't care to be at arm's length, if that's the case.
action;
Date: 2024-07-15 11:46 pm (UTC)[ her nostrils does flare a little at the question, but she breathes out for a second before speaking. she isn't going to do the same mistake twice and let her emotions get the better of her (even though it's prodding her already). jinx straightens her spine and lifts her chin, so her words can flow through her tongue easily. ]
I'm not pushing you away. I already told you that I'm not going to walk away from you ever again. And I meant that. I'm just [...] preparing. That's all.
action;
Date: 2024-07-15 11:56 pm (UTC)It would not serve us well to start a war between the Chosen at this time.
[He measured her response, but there was a definitely disparity between her stance, her words and the emotions he surmised that she was experiencing. He set down his drink and leaned forward so he could rest a forearm on the table as he turned to face her, drawing his legs towards himself again.]
Preparing for what exactly? Do you not believe that I will continue to make you my priority?
action;
Date: 2024-07-16 12:07 am (UTC)Oh, I believe you, I just know people. And people change and do crazy things when it comes to sex. Especially if it's not a hit it or quit it sort of thing. So I'm just prepping.
action;
Date: 2024-07-16 12:16 am (UTC)He wondered if she claimed to know the change in behaviour as she was basing what he might do on her sister or even herself. He sighed from his nose.]
You perhaps have lost faith in me then to compare me to the way your sister treats you over her enforcer. Have I made you question my loyalty so much in the past?
action;
Date: 2024-07-16 01:00 am (UTC)[ she scoots herself away from their table and gathers to her feet, pacing slowly to move around with her bandaged fingertips dragging along the surface. soon, her slender fingers meet his sleeve, and they climb steadily to the curve of his shoulder until she is fully behind him.
his daughter hunches forward, her arms draping over each of his shoulders as she lowers her head to press her cheek to his. and when she speaks again, it's barely above a whisper -- like she is sharing a dark secret that's so sinister that not even the walls should listen in. ]
Your pet will force their way between us. They will use their body or whatever power they have to warp your mind when you least expect it... whether you want it to happen or not. They'll make you give into their every temptation, bend into their will, and it'll be so big that you can't fight it off. And if I try to break you from their spell, it'll mean what we have together will crumble forever.
[ her tone weakens and she moves her head ever so slightly so he can feel her lips part with each syllable. ]
You'll be lost... and I won't be able to reach you. ... And what will I do then?
action;
Date: 2024-07-16 01:25 am (UTC)While he had complete confidence in his ability to not lose focus on his priorities, he couldn't deny her points either. It hadn't been his lover's body at first to hold his attention beyond the scarring, but instead, he had been deeply curious of the tortured soul that was a fish out of water. When he had been at the bottom most point of his loneliness, it had been Richard he had gone to expecting nothing and receiving more than he ever bargained for.
He leaned back in his chair, into his daughter's draped arms and reached back with a hand until he could cup the back of her head. He was, perhaps, more free with some of his affection.] I won't let that happen, Jinx. We have found comfort in sharing some intimacy, nothing more, nothing less.
[He closed his eye, considering her question seriously.]
What I do here, I do for us, for you. Taking someone to my bed will not change that fact. I will not allow this addition whether it is short term or long term addle my mind so that I am neglectful of you.
[He was so determined on his own point of view of the world and himself that he didn't believe his foundation could be shaken.]
action;
Date: 2024-07-16 01:47 am (UTC)... I know you won't. But they'll make you...
[ she hates that her tone is becoming unbalance and her vulnerability is showing, but she has to say this and warn him before any serpents make their way through before she gets her chance. ]
I've seen how they brainwash people. They won't care if I had you first, they won't care that you're mine and my home. They'll rip me away because they're selfish, wicked, and cruel. They'll want me out of the way, and they'll blind you so you won't see their intentions. Then I'll have no choice but to hurt or kill them.
... And then I'll lose in the end. That's what I'm preparing for. Losing.
action;
Date: 2024-07-16 02:06 am (UTC)You believe so?
[It was an interesting concept to consider. When had anyone actually made him do anything against his own will in these last years? There were compromises of course, and there was altering his opinion and his intentions, but the goals had always seemed so clear. Yet, he didn't deny her fear or how she may know something he had locked away a very long time ago.
His fingers stroked her hair lightly in a comforting gesture. He hummed softly, acknowledging her feelings and her concerns.]
Is that what you experienced with those boys you allowed into your bed? They brainwashed you and tried to take you away from me, to cut me out?
[He was mainly considering that arrogant idiot, Quentin, but there had been the Firelight boy to start the ball rolling. Then there was the natives she dabbled with on occasion. With the Firelight boy's return though, he had to consider if what she saw as a threat to him was something he was now going to have to concern himself with in her.]
action; cw: ptsd
Date: 2024-07-16 03:05 am (UTC)and it's this exact moment, this exact love between them is what she is afraid of losing. and while the love between her and her sister is strong, it could be unbreakable if it weren't for caitlyn's meddling, and the two sisters are still slightly rocky to this day. when was the last time jinx had seen vi's face or heard her voice? since the whole the last drop fiasco?
when her father brings up those questions, her heart aches and her sniffling increases, but not without a tiny blush brusing across her cheeks. in spite of this conversation, it's still a little embarrassing to talk about her previous sex life with a parent. ]
Q...- Quentin was the only one I let in...in that way. The nobodies are just ones and zeros. The council are making them up, so it's no real different than doing it to yourself.
[ and since they are discussing about this and essentially her ex-boyfriend, jinx... might as well fess up about something. ]
When Quentin and I first met, he wanted me to leave you behind. I told him that you and I were going to make Aldrip all ours some day, and he wanted me to rule it all without you and have it be just him and me instead.
[ nervously, she wets her lips and continues to croak through her words. ]
A-And I knew he could be dangerous, but I let him in anyway, because he felt too good. He made me feel...so pretty and I liked him in my head. But when I started to fall in love with him, he just....
[ she stops there, her silent sobs tangling with her tongue and forbidding her to speak further. ]
action; cw: discussion of murder
Date: 2024-07-16 03:52 am (UTC)He kept his face where it was so she could remain nestled there against his neck, and he was keenly aware of the moisture on his cheek. His fingers continued to stroke the back of her hair as he listened to her discuss that idiot who had always rubbed him the wrong way.
Yet, his fingers paused when she admitted to Quentin's meddling, he felt a flare of anger that burned hot in his throat. He had to take a deep breath and hold it, pushing his own emotions down because he now recognized this as potentially the source of her unease when it came to his own intimate association.]
And because that idiot pulled that with you against me, you have been lead to believe that my own experience may be the same? That I would even entertain cutting you out after all we have been through, you and I?
[Love was a dangerous emotion, and when it went sour, it was like poison in one's veins.]
It is a boon to us all that he is gone otherwise I would have ended his existence over and over.
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