[ in a kid-like fashion, she puffs up her cheeks then quickly pouts right after with her arms folding over her chest. ]
I know, but you get too silly with you protecting me sometimes. That's why your nickname is, Mister Silly.
[ now being dramatic, she drops her head back against his shoulder while letting her feet idly sway from side to side. although she is slightly protesting, her voice softens and her words flow in a more soothing course. ]
... I just don't want you hurt. I want you to be happy and live forever with me.
[He remained calm and assured in the face of her pouting. He knew it was a show on her part, and he made a point of pushed some hair behind one of her ears in a very parental gesture.]
I do not. You're my only child; I have a right to be protective of you, especially after the challenges we have faced.
[She had nearly died on the bridge that day. She likely didn't remember, but he couldn't lose that image for as long as he lived. Shimmer was an act of desperation, and it had worked to keep her alive. Those were the sacrifices a parent made.
He shifted in the chair as she returned to leaning her head on him, curling his arm around the small of her back to prevent her tipping out of his lap.]
Well, that will be awkward if you do date again and want to move in with someone other than me.
[ although he is tucking her strands behind her ears, jinx wobbles her head from side to side in a goofball manner immediately after to see if the locks will fall out of place due to the motion. ]
Who will make your coffee in the morning? And cook your dinner? Don't forget your medicine too...! No one can do those things like I can.
You never know, stranger occurrences have happened. After all, weren't you furious at your sister for not saving you a spot when you arrived?
[They had good home here; he had not been pleased to be in the Inn for longer than necessary. Their house was exactly as it was meant to be, though it would be much to large for a single person. What was it called? Empty nest syndrome? He would have to find a hobby and wouldn't that be disgusting.]
It is true. I suppose I will have to re-teach myself to do them if I absolutely must.
[If anything, eating would be the most problematic. He tended to forego if he wasn't also making food for Jinx, and he had only recently put back on the weight he had lost previously.]
But that was different, you weren't here yet and I know you wouldn't let me sleep out there in the streets. And besides, that was before I thought it was possible for you or anyone beyond the grave could wind up here.
[ it's been a year since then, and she is still pretty bitter about it. ]
You wouldn't choose a dessert that'll make you all fat over family.
Of course not. There are far more acceptable places to sleep than the streets. It seems the living arrangements have worked out well with my being here.
[He knew she was still angry about such a subject before he had arrived, and he had no issue nudging that anger now and again. Sometimes he simply had to remind her that he was better.]
I don't eat dessert, so that won't ever by a problem. You are my family, and you will always be first.
[He nodded against the top of her head. He knew that she would, of course. Who didn't like knowing their were first in the life of another? His fingers carded through her long hair again.]
I know. We don't all achieve that kind of place, but you deserve it.
[ feeling one-eighty degrees better than before this little pow-wow, she shifts careful in his lap to stretch on over to scoop just one last chip and dip to toss her in her mouth. ]
You sure don't want some of this grub? You can't do business and break fingers on an empty stomach.
[As much as he would like to enjoy that notion, history had taught him that 'her only' was a precarious and potentially shifting status. He had no doubt of her love for him, but her chaos was the great director of her actions. He wouldn't change her, even when she did happen to drive him further gray hairs.]
I suppose. [He took a chip with dip and carefully chewed it. Only for her.]
Do you wish to continue further? [It was a lot of ground that they had covered, topics that neither of them likely wanted or enjoyed talking about.]
I think I'm okay now. [ she says, then looks up to her father with a bit of twinkle in her eye. ] — Unlleeesssss, you got a problem that needs fixing. I am an engineer, and my job is to fix things! So, so, so? You need some advice?
[He managed to hide most of his relief that they wouldn't be broaching the other subjects, mostly because he had no idea what she might want to discuss when it came to his lover. It was best to let that subject lie, as he was still in the honeymoon phase of it while also expecting it to fail spectacularly at any moment.]
I do not, no. Everything has settled back to what it has been before this little mishap event, even if some of the staff have been affected and not yet returned.
This place has destabilized at an inopportune time, yes.
[He released her without a fuss and shifted in his seat to set stretch his legs out before gathering them under him so that he too could stand. There didn't seem a point or purpose to remain seated when the snack should be cleaned up and put away.]
I will be advertising for workers, especially since there are plenty of new Chosen here. I can lend you a worker or two for the café if I manage to vet worthwhile ones. Otherwise, I suggest you also advertise.
[ she frowns gently over the suggestion, not because she isn't appreciative, quite opposite, she would love to have a worker or two or three to help run her business. it's just...— ]
— But the place's not done yet. I still have to finish painting, a wall needs to be knocked down, I need more stools to install, and furniture. There's still so much to do with it. But this stupid, whacko place won't quit with its crap long enough for me to do anything.
And? Most staff at this point will do whatever you need them to. Some might even relish the opportunity.
[It wasn't as if painting and organizing required a degree. It was the kind of work people could easily be taught and even if they screwed it up, it could be rectified.]
I can send some of my people over if you do wish to get it established this month.
[Assuming the café didn't destabilize and ruin everything.]
[ the frown evades, but it quickly shines into a gratitude smile as she skates to her father again to embrace him into a warm hug. her face snugs against his shoulder once more, with a light purr singing in her throat. ]
Mmmm, thank you. When mine stops freezing, I'll send them over to help you too.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-05 11:18 pm (UTC)I know, but you get too silly with you protecting me sometimes. That's why your nickname is, Mister Silly.
[ now being dramatic, she drops her head back against his shoulder while letting her feet idly sway from side to side. although she is slightly protesting, her voice softens and her words flow in a more soothing course. ]
... I just don't want you hurt. I want you to be happy and live forever with me.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-06 12:28 am (UTC)I do not. You're my only child; I have a right to be protective of you, especially after the challenges we have faced.
[She had nearly died on the bridge that day. She likely didn't remember, but he couldn't lose that image for as long as he lived. Shimmer was an act of desperation, and it had worked to keep her alive. Those were the sacrifices a parent made.
He shifted in the chair as she returned to leaning her head on him, curling his arm around the small of her back to prevent her tipping out of his lap.]
Well, that will be awkward if you do date again and want to move in with someone other than me.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-06 12:40 am (UTC)[ although he is tucking her strands behind her ears, jinx wobbles her head from side to side in a goofball manner immediately after to see if the locks will fall out of place due to the motion. ]
Who will make your coffee in the morning? And cook your dinner? Don't forget your medicine too...! No one can do those things like I can.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-06 12:46 am (UTC)[They had good home here; he had not been pleased to be in the Inn for longer than necessary. Their house was exactly as it was meant to be, though it would be much to large for a single person. What was it called? Empty nest syndrome? He would have to find a hobby and wouldn't that be disgusting.]
It is true. I suppose I will have to re-teach myself to do them if I absolutely must.
[If anything, eating would be the most problematic. He tended to forego if he wasn't also making food for Jinx, and he had only recently put back on the weight he had lost previously.]
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-06 01:02 am (UTC)[ it's been a year since then, and she is still pretty bitter about it. ]
You wouldn't choose a dessert that'll make you all fat over family.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-06 01:17 am (UTC)[He knew she was still angry about such a subject before he had arrived, and he had no issue nudging that anger now and again. Sometimes he simply had to remind her that he was better.]
I don't eat dessert, so that won't ever by a problem. You are my family, and you will always be first.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-06 11:05 pm (UTC)... I like that. [ his daughter admits, her voice now down to a hushed pitch, that not even the walls of their home can eavesdrop. ] — Being first.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-07 04:34 am (UTC)I know. We don't all achieve that kind of place, but you deserve it.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-07 11:28 pm (UTC)[ feeling one-eighty degrees better than before this little pow-wow, she shifts careful in his lap to stretch on over to scoop just one last chip and dip to toss her in her mouth. ]
You sure don't want some of this grub? You can't do business and break fingers on an empty stomach.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-08 12:03 am (UTC)[As much as he would like to enjoy that notion, history had taught him that 'her only' was a precarious and potentially shifting status. He had no doubt of her love for him, but her chaos was the great director of her actions. He wouldn't change her, even when she did happen to drive him further gray hairs.]
I suppose. [He took a chip with dip and carefully chewed it. Only for her.]
Do you wish to continue further? [It was a lot of ground that they had covered, topics that neither of them likely wanted or enjoyed talking about.]
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-09 02:30 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-09 02:35 am (UTC)I do not, no. Everything has settled back to what it has been before this little mishap event, even if some of the staff have been affected and not yet returned.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-09 02:43 am (UTC)[ having enough of being on her father's lap, jinx slides off and extends her arms above her head in a stretch. ]
It's going to make the INX stuff way harder than it needs to be. Ugh, Guess I'm gonna have to go about this solo for a little while.
[ and that would also mean her café will be put on hold... again. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-09 02:47 am (UTC)[He released her without a fuss and shifted in his seat to set stretch his legs out before gathering them under him so that he too could stand. There didn't seem a point or purpose to remain seated when the snack should be cleaned up and put away.]
I will be advertising for workers, especially since there are plenty of new Chosen here. I can lend you a worker or two for the café if I manage to vet worthwhile ones. Otherwise, I suggest you also advertise.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-09 03:28 pm (UTC)— But the place's not done yet. I still have to finish painting, a wall needs to be knocked down, I need more stools to install, and furniture. There's still so much to do with it. But this stupid, whacko place won't quit with its crap long enough for me to do anything.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-10 04:18 am (UTC)[It wasn't as if painting and organizing required a degree. It was the kind of work people could easily be taught and even if they screwed it up, it could be rectified.]
I can send some of my people over if you do wish to get it established this month.
[Assuming the café didn't destabilize and ruin everything.]
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-10 04:01 pm (UTC)Mmmm, thank you. When mine stops freezing, I'll send them over to help you too.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-10 04:26 pm (UTC)I know. We'll see your café prepared for an opening at the end of this month or start of next, alright?
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-10 09:01 pm (UTC)Whelp! — We better get going. You've got businesses to peek in, and I've got people to bother.
[ his daughter collects whatever leftovers there are left on their dinner table, then stores it back in their fridge. ]
First things first, I've got to call my partner in crime. Or "The Brute".