[He finished the current page that he was reading once Jinx called to him and then set his bookmark, closed the tome and set it on the coffee table. He rose after grabbing his half-drank mug of coffee and headed to the kitchen and making note of her efforts as he took his usual seat. Thankfully she didn't make him a large amount for him to try to get through.]
Thank you for making breakfast.
[He picked up the fork - having learned some manners over the years - and moved some of the eggs onto his toast as was his little tradition at this point. It sped up the whole eating process and it gave a better mix of texture when eating.]
What's your plan for today? [He took a bite of eggs and toast, chewing slowly as he watched her.]
[ she starts on her meal too (eggs first), and then contemplates as she chews. that is a pretty good question, and in retrospect, she has a lot to do regarding her flock and traveling around town to make sure her possible future people are faring okay.
although, the raven's been soaring around aldrip every day now since her grand speech, and her wings are growing stiffer by the day. the prodigy sends her fork down, but to replace it with her cup as she answers. ]
Think I'm going to take it easy today. Check and feed all my animals, then I guess laze around town. You?
[He nodded his head slightly in acknowledgement to her plan or lack there of. She had been doing well with her momentum, but such energies were not sustainable long term. It was good she was taking time for rumination or passiveness; they all needed it. There was nothing odd or unreasonable about the plan, and he didn't let himself think of anything deeper about it.
Jinx was her own person more than ever here. She did not need to rely on him as much as before; he didn't provide as many missions or demands on her time. He didn't focus her, and that meant she was finding her own way however she chose.
He swallowed his mouthful and shrugged his shoulders a little.] What I must. It's close to month end so there is plenty of work to do for that. Otherwise, I have my next venture put the finishing touches on, same as you.
[ she hums around her cup as a response while she sips, probably should have known that would be his schedule for today. her imagination begins to run a little wild as she visualizes her father doing something else beyond working. what if one day he will just say,"i am off to go on a shopping spree" and comes home with an overflowing bags of goodies. or what if he decides to go to the docks in a boat to become a fishmen? is that a skill her father knows how to do? would he be the type to sail the seas for hours on end to try and trap as much fish as he can?
her silly daydream gets interrupted rather suddenly when she hears her phone singing out a notification chime in the bathroom. it looks like she forgot to tow it with her when she left there, and she cranes her neck to peek outside the kitchen doorway. she shouldn't get it, she thinks. not if it's just one sound. one sound doesn't mean anything and can wait, but if it's continuously... then something is up, and it's probably urgent. so jinx settles a little more back in her chair and returns her attention to silco, shoveling more scrambled eggs to her silverware. ]
Your next thing isn't going to be too dangerous, is it? Do you need me to do anything for it?
[Silco turned his head slightly at the sound of her phone notification, aware of where it was located based on the distance of the sound. He also noted that she seemed rather keen for it as well, but for now, she kept her seat and their breakfast tradition intact. He took another bite of eggs and toast, again chewing slowly before washing it down with more coffee.
Things would have to be busy for the next few weeks, especially with the distinct lack of assistance from the native population as usual. No matter, it only stretched timelines, but the funds and progress would continue regardless.]
No more than any other I've endeavored on, though considering how much my activities are being tracked these days... [He trailed off, sighing from his nose.] A minor inconvenience of which I am used to. Considering it's a brothel, I don't think your explosive skills will be necessary this time. What you are doing is parting their attention, and that's greater assistance than I could ever ask for.
[ jinx almost choke on her own food and spit when the word "brothel" leaves his tongue, and she blinks at him a few times in disbelief. but the shock of it wears off very quickly, and she takes the news in a more comedic route, smirking impishly with a tiny snort to follow. ]
Deciding to be the next Madame Babette, huh?
[ quirking her eyebrow in amusement, she twirls the fork between her two fingers before spearing it down to her sausage. ]
Sorry to break it to ya, Pops, but you're a little too tall to be her. And not enough...Yordle.
I could hardly fill such small shoes, when she bothered to wear any. Such a niche was never my forte, but there is a sore lack of such options in this place.
[As long as everything was consensual, this would be a fine new venture. Perhaps if the Chosen were screwing someone else, they would have less willingness to meddle in his business or screw over each other. Either way, it served a far more profitable purpose for him whether it was popular or not. After all, profits were a matter of the numbers and nothing more.]
There won't be a large announcement for it; it simply will exist and more grassroots word of mouth advertising. Perhaps Jerry will finally take a load off when he returns from vacation.
[ she snorts again, but then chuckles gaily right after. because what he says is rather true, a lot of times she didn't bother with wearing her heels despite how filthy the lanes can be, although, the hag was old and probably lived too much of an adventurous life to care. ]
People are going to go nuts when they see it! Hope you're ready to see a lot of gross butt naked men, and saggy woo has.
[ taking a bite from her sausage instantly reminds her that she forgot to fetch the ketchup and mustard to go with it. some might find it strange, but for her, it brings out flavor and excites her tastebuds. so still giggling over what she said, her daughter raises to her feet while silently wincing in the process. ]
— You're definitely going to need bouncers for THAT place, and we got a lotta prudes in this joint.
[ she points out with her mouth still full as she swiftly makes her way to their fridge. ]
[Considering the Madame's brothel was on the main strip of the Lanes, there was no shortage of 'prudes' from Piltover that came to explore the options. He expected that it would be the same here, though the idea of nudity had never bothered him. People should be confident in their own skins, though guard their flesh all the same in case parts were removed.
They didn't have nearly the same level of augmentation and modification that had begun to thrive under his rule. Still, business was business and the Council would allow it, so why not do it?]
I doubt I will be spending much time there, but no doubt the press of the flesh will cause some to lose their heads and make a scene. That's the nature of pleasure at times.
[He would protect his investments. He always did.]
Prudes who will probably shamefully wander in regardless. Those who hate themselves the most need it far more than anyone else.
[ she lifts her head out of the fridge, and her doe shaped eyes widens in slight bewilderment. and her pitch increases more on excitement side than it should to be. ]
Maybe only once. Just to see how it'll look. I don't need it for anything.
[ she feels her own cheeks heating and quickly dives back in the fridge in hope the chilly breeze will cool her skin. but jinx doesn't dawdle for too long as she yanks out the two condiments before returning to the table. ]
[He set down his toast back on his plate and used a napkin to wipe his mouth, leaning back in his chair as he watched her for a long quiet moment. He supposed they had been heading in this direction regardless, so may as well get it over with and see if she lost her temper with him.]
You haven't been sleeping in the house the last handful of days.
[ now settling back at the table, she picks the ketchup first and pours a small pool of it on the corner of her plate, then sprinkles it over her scrambled eggs (ew?). his daughter does the same with the mustard and mixed the two sauces into one big weird mess before finally returning to her poor neglected sausages. ]
What makes you think that?
[ she asks, attempting to keep the conversation light, mature, and civil. how long it'll stay that way is up to debate as she takes a bite of her meal again. ]
[If he thought that it would be worthwhile to hold the silence, he would have. Such tactics didn't work on Jinx though, and he knew better than to circumvent what he had to say with her either. After all, he had made a point to come clean to her and not withhold information since they had come here, willing to take that step to preserve their relationship and build trust.
But trenchers were still products of their own upbringing and the generations before them. Weakness was not tolerated.]
Because looking in on your empty bed upstairs tells me you aren't sleeping here. Nor in your hammock. Nor in the rafters. Let's be candid, shall we? You're with the boy.
[ jinx is rather grateful that there's still so much leftover in her plate to consume, because she is definitely using it to her advantage to stretch out her quiet. but of course, that can only work but for so long, so when her mouth is no longer full, she says slowly with her gaze fixating on her grapes. ]
... I've been trying to find someone who can help me with my nightmares. You like sleeping in your chair. Or used to, I guess. And Fishbones tried finding me a "cuddle buddy" or whatever he called it through the network, and... got no bites.
[ a beat, picking up her toast to combine it with her eggs — similar to what her father did earlier. ]
[He understood her nightmares, what they did to her. It wasn't as if he wasn't supportive in finding solutions, but she had outgrown where he slept in the chair and it hit a point of no longer being comfortable for either of them years ago. He hadn't had intentions of switching back to a bed where he was more vulnerable and the vastness of it reminded him of an emptiness filled to the brim with purpose instead.
He steepled his fingers together, watching her over them.]
[He wouldn't deny that he hadn't enjoyed it; he was willing to make sacrifices for Jinx's sake. That didn't matter here and now as she had found another to fill the void that she desired and that assisted her with the nightmare issue. That was one thing, but given his confrontation with the boy - and his business being meddled in now and again - this was becoming very personal.
That was dangerous. He had kept himself in check without the usual brutal tactics he had used in the Undercity, but if the boy wanted a war, Silco would bring him one.]
That's all, is it? Unfortunately for you, I wasn't born yesterday.
[He pushed his seat back from the table so that he could more comfortably cross one leg over the other.]
It's hypocrisy that I have made efforts to extend the courtesy of divulging information to you readily so as to make you more comfortable given the accusations of being a liar in Zaun before I died and yet I don't receive similar in return.
[ and suddenly, her appetite plummets, and she scoots her meal and cup so far away from her that it's almost clanking with his own dish. jinx frowns intensely over his words, and her eyes narrow only slightly with her voice raising, but not enough to show real anger yet. ]
It's not hypocritical. I've told you that we've kissed, I've told you I feel... something with him, and I meant when I said that I don't want to be more with him.
[ his daughter sags in her chair too with her arms folding over her chest. ]
I've been honest this whole time with you. — You're the one who isn't telling me who your secret lover is, and you don't see me making a big stink about it. But I'm PRETTY sure I know who it is, anyway. Or maybe I don't. Maybe I'm way off mark. But I got my own suspicions.
[ she sighs a little, then tries again. ]
Is there something you want to know more about? Just ask, and I'll tell you.
Then why do I continually have to drag information out of you? Since the incident between your sister and I, there feels like a rift between us.
[Perhaps it had been before that, but the rift was definitely present when she had walked away from him to the point where he had come to understand she might have abandoned their connection entirely. They had returned to a sort of status quo, but there was an undercurrent of tension.]
I suppose that makes two of us in that regard. [He remained calm and his voice even; this might be the discussion they had been needing for some time as much as he didn't want to have it.] Long sleeves and pants? Plus the boy made it very clear to me in his little speech had he had every intention of taking you away and burn everything I have built down. I have let that slight go for you because you weren't certain of your feelings.
[The threat seemed to grow greater each day now. What was he to do? In his own warped world view, he would do what he thought was best for her, for him, for their world. That's what he had done in the past, and that's what he would do. He would be the monster they wanted him to be.]
It's just sex between myself and them. We have no emotional investment in this tryst. [Not entirely true, but he was more lying to himself than to anyone else.]
[ so it appears the two of them suddenly got thrown into an early morning game of chess. something she wasn't mentally prepared for, but her father already made his first chess piece move. the bluenette sinks further in her chair to really give off the bratty teenager energy, and the urge to kick the table leg to emphasize her tantrum is surfacing. but instead, she throws her arms up in the air to animate her claim. ]
I'm trying to fix that, okay?! Anyway, you should be freaking thrilled that I haven't really seen Vi since the whole infection thing. I can't even remember the last time she and I did anything together. That's winning for you, isn't it?
[ she takes a second to breathe and keep her mind clear and emotions leveled before she continues. ]
I want to tell you things, Silco, but you get so quick to... wanting to stab people or get "rid" of them, when I don't want you to. Sometimes, I just want you to listen and not always take care of things in that way.
And besides, Ekko is a fucking idiot if he thinks I'm going to let him burn all you've done, because that means burning the INX's cause too.
[ okay, that's two moves and she still has one more to make. ]
And by the way, if it's not — [ cue an immature and mocking tone: ] — emmotioonallll, and if it's who I'm suspecting, then why are you helping him in his cause when he's just copying mine? If it's purely just sex, he wouldn't have such a deep understanding with you.
Vi already believes what I'm doing is stupid and I can't do it. And seeing you helping him out hurts, too, you know.
[Silco was always prepared to have a verbal sparring match as it were, and he had hoped that it wouldn't come to this. He had been waiting for Jinx to divulge relevant and necessary information to him willingly, but it seemed that wouldn't be the case. Here they were now with the kitchen table between them as both of them readily abandoned their meals to focus on the opportunity before them.]
I don't care what you do and don't do with your sister. There is no winning when she is involved.
[They were maintaining the uneasy truce with one another, though it was becoming increasingly difficult with her little squeeze and the boy doing what they could to make themselves nuisances. They were so far passive, and he had no reason to burn down what benefitted him far more than it would ever benefit any of them. Silco was used to operating behind the scenes and taking over; it's what he was good at, and all their posturing didn't change the facts of his operations.
Her criticism wasn't entirely unfair. He had operated in such a way for so long that it was second nature, especially when he was trying to protect her.]
It isn't my fault that your choice in... company are the types that seek to challenge me directly. I am perfectly willing to let them live if they didn't immediately consider me the greatest threat. I am only responding in kind, and compared to home, I'm being rather generous.
[He would agree that Ekko was an idiot. A dangerous one and one that she was increasingly associating with and growing deeper emotional attachment to.]
Do you honestly believe he is going to give you a choice or provide intel when he moves? He's spent many years trying to burn my empire down around me, and I can't see that stopping now. If anything, you at his side will make him bolder.
[He wasn't going to entertain her childishness when it came to his tryst. He would neither confirm nor deny who she seemed to believe was the one he happened to spend time with. They may have been careful, but they were invisible and could be seen spending time together. It did help she seemed distracted to not look too deeply into it, though she wasn't a prodigy for nothing as she had put the pieces together.]
There has been a request for services of my businesses, nothing more, nothing less. I will always support you and your endeavors.
[ she can't tell if she is making the right calls here or if she is causing any critical hits in this debate, but all she knows is right now is her emotions are burning behind her rib cage, and her voice is quivering as she struggles to keep it all neatly stacked in a bottle. ]
Ekko is crazy about me. I-I can make him stop, or quit if I make some sort of ultimatum. He's all about second chances, and not letting the past haunt us and crap. If he's threatening you, then that goes against what he's preaching about. So just... let me handle him, okay?
[ she can only hope coming up with something like that will prevent any more bloodshed between all the people in her circle. but regardless of voicing that option, it still doesn't settle her trembling tone. in fact, she forces out a chuckle that's coated with bitterness and no humor. ]
Eh, heh heh. Of course, business! [ she throws her arms up again in such a dramatic way. ] It's always about business. Who cares if he calls your daughter weak as long as business is involved!
You know, everything I've learned was from you. For him to say that is practically saying you didn't raise me strong. He's insulting you and you're doing business with him and have an understanding with him.
Why aren't you pissed? Is your connection with him that close? — Just freaking admit it already that it's him, Silco.
Indeed, he has made his feelings on the matter of you very clear. Restraint is not one of his strong suits thus far, but if he continues as he is, he will not enjoy where it goes.
[It wasn't even that he cared what the others of their world were up to aside from Jinx, and he followed her progress rather closely while still letting her make her own decisions and learn from mistakes. That's what he couldn't do in Zaun nearly as much because the Chem-Barons and even many of his own people would find a way to end her for any weakness. In that place, he had to give her opportunities while being still being her defender.
Here? She could make her Inx group and stumble in her rebellion but also learn. People here were weak compared to Zaun, and they were all too forgiving. They hadn't suffered as their people had and the exploitation seemed far less overall. Yet no matter the assurances, there was the unspoken deep pit of uncertainty that he would be second or third choice in her world.]
Apparently second chances don't apply to me. I don't want them either. I make my own way, and however you deal with him is your choice.
[He wasn't above certain types of relationship sabotage of course.
He regarded her without showing his hand despite her push to force him to admit that Richard was his lover on the side. It was true that she had learned a lot from him, but Richard was also someone well out of their depth in this world yet had valid political experience that could be a threat. He had given Richard a verbal warning of course, and he would again if the two came into conflict.]
Which is it, Jinx? On one hand, you accuse me of being over the top and willing to stab everyone who you speak to, and on the other, now I don't do enough over a paltry insult?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 05:37 pm (UTC)Thank you for making breakfast.
[He picked up the fork - having learned some manners over the years - and moved some of the eggs onto his toast as was his little tradition at this point. It sped up the whole eating process and it gave a better mix of texture when eating.]
What's your plan for today? [He took a bite of eggs and toast, chewing slowly as he watched her.]
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 06:36 pm (UTC)although, the raven's been soaring around aldrip every day now since her grand speech, and her wings are growing stiffer by the day. the prodigy sends her fork down, but to replace it with her cup as she answers. ]
Think I'm going to take it easy today. Check and feed all my animals, then I guess laze around town. You?
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 06:47 pm (UTC)Jinx was her own person more than ever here. She did not need to rely on him as much as before; he didn't provide as many missions or demands on her time. He didn't focus her, and that meant she was finding her own way however she chose.
He swallowed his mouthful and shrugged his shoulders a little.] What I must. It's close to month end so there is plenty of work to do for that. Otherwise, I have my next venture put the finishing touches on, same as you.
action; ILL GET IT RIGHT EVENTUALLY.
Date: 2024-08-25 08:08 pm (UTC)her silly daydream gets interrupted rather suddenly when she hears her phone singing out a notification chime in the bathroom. it looks like she forgot to tow it with her when she left there, and she cranes her neck to peek outside the kitchen doorway. she shouldn't get it, she thinks. not if it's just one sound. one sound doesn't mean anything and can wait, but if it's continuously... then something is up, and it's probably urgent. so jinx settles a little more back in her chair and returns her attention to silco, shoveling more scrambled eggs to her silverware. ]
Your next thing isn't going to be too dangerous, is it? Do you need me to do anything for it?
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 08:25 pm (UTC)Things would have to be busy for the next few weeks, especially with the distinct lack of assistance from the native population as usual. No matter, it only stretched timelines, but the funds and progress would continue regardless.]
No more than any other I've endeavored on, though considering how much my activities are being tracked these days... [He trailed off, sighing from his nose.] A minor inconvenience of which I am used to. Considering it's a brothel, I don't think your explosive skills will be necessary this time. What you are doing is parting their attention, and that's greater assistance than I could ever ask for.
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 08:52 pm (UTC)Deciding to be the next Madame Babette, huh?
[ quirking her eyebrow in amusement, she twirls the fork between her two fingers before spearing it down to her sausage. ]
Sorry to break it to ya, Pops, but you're a little too tall to be her. And not enough...Yordle.
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 09:02 pm (UTC)[As long as everything was consensual, this would be a fine new venture. Perhaps if the Chosen were screwing someone else, they would have less willingness to meddle in his business or screw over each other. Either way, it served a far more profitable purpose for him whether it was popular or not. After all, profits were a matter of the numbers and nothing more.]
There won't be a large announcement for it; it simply will exist and more grassroots word of mouth advertising. Perhaps Jerry will finally take a load off when he returns from vacation.
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 09:21 pm (UTC)People are going to go nuts when they see it! Hope you're ready to see a lot of gross butt naked men, and saggy woo has.
[ taking a bite from her sausage instantly reminds her that she forgot to fetch the ketchup and mustard to go with it. some might find it strange, but for her, it brings out flavor and excites her tastebuds. so still giggling over what she said, her daughter raises to her feet while silently wincing in the process. ]
— You're definitely going to need bouncers for THAT place, and we got a lotta prudes in this joint.
[ she points out with her mouth still full as she swiftly makes her way to their fridge. ]
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 09:31 pm (UTC)They didn't have nearly the same level of augmentation and modification that had begun to thrive under his rule. Still, business was business and the Council would allow it, so why not do it?]
I doubt I will be spending much time there, but no doubt the press of the flesh will cause some to lose their heads and make a scene. That's the nature of pleasure at times.
[He would protect his investments. He always did.]
Prudes who will probably shamefully wander in regardless. Those who hate themselves the most need it far more than anyone else.
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 09:45 pm (UTC)Wait, you won't?
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 09:50 pm (UTC)[He took another bite of his toast and egg, shrugging his shoulders. Yet, his gaze watched her at the fridge.]
Can I take it you will visit if I'm not there, hmm?
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 10:00 pm (UTC)[ she feels her own cheeks heating and quickly dives back in the fridge in hope the chilly breeze will cool her skin. but jinx doesn't dawdle for too long as she yanks out the two condiments before returning to the table. ]
But, uh, that's cool!
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 10:03 pm (UTC)[He set down his toast back on his plate and used a napkin to wipe his mouth, leaning back in his chair as he watched her for a long quiet moment. He supposed they had been heading in this direction regardless, so may as well get it over with and see if she lost her temper with him.]
You haven't been sleeping in the house the last handful of days.
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 10:26 pm (UTC)What makes you think that?
[ she asks, attempting to keep the conversation light, mature, and civil. how long it'll stay that way is up to debate as she takes a bite of her meal again. ]
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 10:36 pm (UTC)But trenchers were still products of their own upbringing and the generations before them. Weakness was not tolerated.]
Because looking in on your empty bed upstairs tells me you aren't sleeping here. Nor in your hammock. Nor in the rafters. Let's be candid, shall we? You're with the boy.
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 10:45 pm (UTC)... I've been trying to find someone who can help me with my nightmares. You like sleeping in your chair. Or used to, I guess. And Fishbones tried finding me a "cuddle buddy" or whatever he called it through the network, and... got no bites.
[ a beat, picking up her toast to combine it with her eggs — similar to what her father did earlier. ]
He offered.
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 11:01 pm (UTC)He steepled his fingers together, watching her over them.]
You could have told me.
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 11:18 pm (UTC)[ she works her lips again, trying to shrug the whole thing off as if it's a no big deal, but her tone makes her words sound the opposite. ]
... He's just helping me get more sleep, that's all.
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 11:29 pm (UTC)That was dangerous. He had kept himself in check without the usual brutal tactics he had used in the Undercity, but if the boy wanted a war, Silco would bring him one.]
That's all, is it? Unfortunately for you, I wasn't born yesterday.
[He pushed his seat back from the table so that he could more comfortably cross one leg over the other.]
It's hypocrisy that I have made efforts to extend the courtesy of divulging information to you readily so as to make you more comfortable given the accusations of being a liar in Zaun before I died and yet I don't receive similar in return.
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 11:40 pm (UTC)It's not hypocritical. I've told you that we've kissed, I've told you I feel... something with him, and I meant when I said that I don't want to be more with him.
[ his daughter sags in her chair too with her arms folding over her chest. ]
I've been honest this whole time with you. — You're the one who isn't telling me who your secret lover is, and you don't see me making a big stink about it. But I'm PRETTY sure I know who it is, anyway. Or maybe I don't. Maybe I'm way off mark. But I got my own suspicions.
[ she sighs a little, then tries again. ]
Is there something you want to know more about? Just ask, and I'll tell you.
action;
Date: 2024-08-25 11:50 pm (UTC)[Perhaps it had been before that, but the rift was definitely present when she had walked away from him to the point where he had come to understand she might have abandoned their connection entirely. They had returned to a sort of status quo, but there was an undercurrent of tension.]
I suppose that makes two of us in that regard. [He remained calm and his voice even; this might be the discussion they had been needing for some time as much as he didn't want to have it.] Long sleeves and pants? Plus the boy made it very clear to me in his little speech had he had every intention of taking you away and burn everything I have built down. I have let that slight go for you because you weren't certain of your feelings.
[The threat seemed to grow greater each day now. What was he to do? In his own warped world view, he would do what he thought was best for her, for him, for their world. That's what he had done in the past, and that's what he would do. He would be the monster they wanted him to be.]
It's just sex between myself and them. We have no emotional investment in this tryst. [Not entirely true, but he was more lying to himself than to anyone else.]
action;
Date: 2024-08-26 01:01 am (UTC)I'm trying to fix that, okay?! Anyway, you should be freaking thrilled that I haven't really seen Vi since the whole infection thing. I can't even remember the last time she and I did anything together. That's winning for you, isn't it?
[ she takes a second to breathe and keep her mind clear and emotions leveled before she continues. ]
I want to tell you things, Silco, but you get so quick to... wanting to stab people or get "rid" of them, when I don't want you to. Sometimes, I just want you to listen and not always take care of things in that way.
And besides, Ekko is a fucking idiot if he thinks I'm going to let him burn all you've done, because that means burning the INX's cause too.
[ okay, that's two moves and she still has one more to make. ]
And by the way, if it's not — [ cue an immature and mocking tone: ] — emmotioonallll, and if it's who I'm suspecting, then why are you helping him in his cause when he's just copying mine? If it's purely just sex, he wouldn't have such a deep understanding with you.
Vi already believes what I'm doing is stupid and I can't do it. And seeing you helping him out hurts, too, you know.
action;
Date: 2024-08-26 01:25 am (UTC)I don't care what you do and don't do with your sister. There is no winning when she is involved.
[They were maintaining the uneasy truce with one another, though it was becoming increasingly difficult with her little squeeze and the boy doing what they could to make themselves nuisances. They were so far passive, and he had no reason to burn down what benefitted him far more than it would ever benefit any of them. Silco was used to operating behind the scenes and taking over; it's what he was good at, and all their posturing didn't change the facts of his operations.
Her criticism wasn't entirely unfair. He had operated in such a way for so long that it was second nature, especially when he was trying to protect her.]
It isn't my fault that your choice in... company are the types that seek to challenge me directly. I am perfectly willing to let them live if they didn't immediately consider me the greatest threat. I am only responding in kind, and compared to home, I'm being rather generous.
[He would agree that Ekko was an idiot. A dangerous one and one that she was increasingly associating with and growing deeper emotional attachment to.]
Do you honestly believe he is going to give you a choice or provide intel when he moves? He's spent many years trying to burn my empire down around me, and I can't see that stopping now. If anything, you at his side will make him bolder.
[He wasn't going to entertain her childishness when it came to his tryst. He would neither confirm nor deny who she seemed to believe was the one he happened to spend time with. They may have been careful, but they were invisible and could be seen spending time together. It did help she seemed distracted to not look too deeply into it, though she wasn't a prodigy for nothing as she had put the pieces together.]
There has been a request for services of my businesses, nothing more, nothing less. I will always support you and your endeavors.
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Date: 2024-08-26 02:27 am (UTC)Ekko is crazy about me. I-I can make him stop, or quit if I make some sort of ultimatum. He's all about second chances, and not letting the past haunt us and crap. If he's threatening you, then that goes against what he's preaching about. So just... let me handle him, okay?
[ she can only hope coming up with something like that will prevent any more bloodshed between all the people in her circle. but regardless of voicing that option, it still doesn't settle her trembling tone. in fact, she forces out a chuckle that's coated with bitterness and no humor. ]
Eh, heh heh. Of course, business! [ she throws her arms up again in such a dramatic way. ] It's always about business. Who cares if he calls your daughter weak as long as business is involved!
You know, everything I've learned was from you. For him to say that is practically saying you didn't raise me strong. He's insulting you and you're doing business with him and have an understanding with him.
Why aren't you pissed? Is your connection with him that close? — Just freaking admit it already that it's him, Silco.
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Date: 2024-08-26 02:49 am (UTC)[It wasn't even that he cared what the others of their world were up to aside from Jinx, and he followed her progress rather closely while still letting her make her own decisions and learn from mistakes. That's what he couldn't do in Zaun nearly as much because the Chem-Barons and even many of his own people would find a way to end her for any weakness. In that place, he had to give her opportunities while being still being her defender.
Here? She could make her Inx group and stumble in her rebellion but also learn. People here were weak compared to Zaun, and they were all too forgiving. They hadn't suffered as their people had and the exploitation seemed far less overall. Yet no matter the assurances, there was the unspoken deep pit of uncertainty that he would be second or third choice in her world.]
Apparently second chances don't apply to me. I don't want them either. I make my own way, and however you deal with him is your choice.
[He wasn't above certain types of relationship sabotage of course.
He regarded her without showing his hand despite her push to force him to admit that Richard was his lover on the side. It was true that she had learned a lot from him, but Richard was also someone well out of their depth in this world yet had valid political experience that could be a threat. He had given Richard
a verbal warning of course, and he would again if the two came into conflict.]
Which is it, Jinx? On one hand, you accuse me of being over the top and willing to stab everyone who you speak to, and on the other, now I don't do enough over a paltry insult?
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