And yet you've taught me to handle firearms over the years.
[He did appreciate the close proximity that knives brought, but as he wasn't much of a combatant, firearms kept him at a distance. His preferred method was to remain outside of combat and allow others with such skills to do so on his behalf. Still, he didn't deny that his place put him at a disadvantage at times, which he did find regrettable.
Still, their hold on the city had to be careful and refined. Many of the Chosen were more powerful than they were and he didn't and wouldn't fall back on Shimmer for himself. So they had to be smart, and he needed control of the market as much as possible. If he had the supply chain, he had control over everyone else. Then the city would be theirs.
Let people have their vices. Those that wanted to leave should be shown the door.]
Most people have alcohol as a vice, being it is socially acceptable, so either the bars or the casino I would surmise.
[the bars or the casino. she soaks the information like a sponge as her tongue licks off any excess juices that lingers along her lips. jinx sets the mug back down to its previous position, and her pinks glisten a vibrant twinkle which could only mean one thing. for a moment, she is there sitting in front of him, and then the next — jinx uses her ability to flash away from his sight; only to leave behind a trail of shimmer streaks.
it's only been seconds when his daughter returns to the kitchen, but in her hands, the bluenette holds a fresh sheet of paper and a red marker. she sets the wordless document ]before him, and she stands by his side to hunch forward with her shoulder brushing against his. silently, his daughter begins to doodle — a building that seems to replicate the casino, then draws a bunch of disasters round it. thunderstorms, meteors, a twister, even monsters circulating the building with some flames sprouting out of the windows.
after she draws this tragedy, underneath the building she sketches a tunnel that leads down deep into the soil. then she draws a big rectangle box with stick figures inside. also inside this, she draws beds, cans that represent food, and bottles of water.]
[It seemed that she was continually getting used to her shimmer abilities, and he took it all in stride. After all, the alternative to her zipping about was not moving at all, and this simply confirmed his choice to put his daughter through such life-saving procedures.
Uncertain how long she would be or even where she went, Silco reached out for his plate to pull it closer. Perhaps she had gone for an ice cream run or something. A moment later, he stood corrected as she returned to him with paper and the intent to draw him a picture or two. His hand lifted to touch her elbow lightly as she leaned forward, and he shifted so he could watch her draw.
It was imaginative, and it also wasn't beyond what he had also been thinking for some time. Topside was never a place they were meant to exist for a long time. He turned his head to regard his daughter, humming softly and with a nod of his head. A bunker would be useful. A bunker beneath most businesses that interconnected even better.]
A new hide out to replace the tree house? Now where to put it....
[she corrects them, lightly tossing the marker aside before pointing the bunker with her chapped polished fingernail.]
This is for the Chosen. [the light caress of his hand to her elbow is appreciative, and she returns the affection by softly brushing her forearm to his.] — See, all of this crap?
[gesturing to the disasters.]
This place is always roping us into something. Sometimes it's every other month or longer. Haven't calculated myself lately. But when things go down? Everyone should report here. And you said the casino is the most popular place, so it's only natural for everyone to go here by default.
Make a bunker of safety, and that's how we get to control the city. Show that we care, and we worked our butts off JUST for their lives.
A safety bunker to hold all the Chosen during times of crisis?
[It wasn't a bad idea at all, and it was one he had considered. There should be a piping system throughout the city, and if it was large enough people could travel or be restricted. Perhaps it was natural that he and his daughter would wish to return underground as well, a place they both knew so well.
He tapped the top of the picture where the establishment would admit people to the bunker in the first place. That would be problematic, but it could potentially be done, especially since one of the proprietors could move stone and dirt and metal.]
I don't own nor have a financial interest in the casino, so creating this here would require permission from the owners. It could be done, but I believe your sister has black marked me to one owners who would be very useful to create such a space. [He looked at his daughter.] However, I encourage you to see about bringing about this opportunity.
[she snarls a hmm in her throat, and a frown grows heavy over the girl's face. leave it to her big sister to throw her father in the black book in certain establishments. jinx stretches for the marker, then violently scratches out the casino until it's hardly recognizable.]
Oookaaay, then forget about the casino. [in its place, she quickly doodles the sandwich shop while sketching the meal next to the building to further emphasize what it's meant to represent.]
How about here, then? A lot of us got there to eat. Easier access to food too if we need it.
[He didn't stop Jinx from scribbling out the casino, though he did think that his daughter could potentially negotiate where he might not be able to. Still, it might be best to have control of the establishment to start and then expand once it had been accepted as a good idea by most of the Chosen.]
It is true. We should start with an establishment that is owned by one of us. That way we have better control.
[Still, Toph would be useful in creating the space, but it could be done by hand. That's what Zaun was famous for.]
We should develop blue prints on what we want and the size of the space. We should consider interconnectivity to other businesses or buildings.
[she grins big when she hears her father being on board with her little idea, and she shows her gratitude by leaning in to press her cheek against his; but briefly.]
What would you ever do without me?
[giggling, she reaches over for a chip between her index and middle to hover in silco's viewing. even with all this talk about planning, jinx hadn't lost track of the real thing that's important, and that's her father's health.]
[He tolerated the affection in his usual manner, subtly leaning into the brief press of their cheeks and no more than that. He expected that Jinx understood the gesture, minor though it may be. He knew they were going to need the natives on board for some of this; well, even when they hated the Chosen, many times enough money would convince them to work.]
Suffer, obviously.
[His head moved back a few centimeters when suddenly there was a chip invading his personal space. He sighed and lifted a hand to try to take it from Jinx. Yes, yes, he would eat, daughter.]
[she giggles sweetly, then skips her merry way to the cabinets. from there, jinx begins to withdraw some materials to make some drinks which, by the looks of it, it seems she's going to create something more advance than just pouring herself more juice or simple coffee for him.
it seems she is deciding to tap in her café alternate self to construct something more exquisite. jinx, unfortunately, has yet to have a chance to really open her coffee shop due to all the mishaps she came across, but maybe this month will finally be the day.]
Coffee helps you live longer, you know. As long as you have the right amount in your day.
[He look at the chip then followed her movements with his gaze; resigned to putting a little food in his stomach for now. He ate the chip in question more to appease his daughter rather than because he was hungry. For good measure, he reached over and pulled his plate closer and even ate a second chip and some fish before that seemed worthwhile enough of an effort.]
I find that spite is the best remedy for dying but to each their own.
[He made a point of watching her bustle around with what looked like intentions to make drinks. He supposed she was practicing for the inevitable opening of her café.]
[that's all he will get out of her as she begins to work on their beverages. she is even allowing him to watch her work front and center, seeing most of the magic is done behind the counter.
jinx doesn't want to experiment on her father's taste buds (that's what vi will be for), so for him, she will make a simple coffee. as for herself, well, it's to be expected what kind of beverage she is making. something way too sweet and chocolatey that may or may not keep her up for another hour or two. all the while she is making their drinks, there's some sort of aura of tranquility glowing around her — a genuine smile that shines so seldom on her that it almost feels foreign.
when she is with vi, silco, and making her weapons, that's when she senses happiness. ragna has become another individual who is able to bring that emotion out of her (ekko too, if he was still here). and now her father gets to witness another thing that brings a sense of joy out of her, besides gadgetry. but making beverages is just another way of creating; tools still needs to be used, coordinating the right measurements and temperatures, and the finishing products looking exactly how she imagined it in her mind coming to life is always something worthwhile. something she can do, something she can build, and fix.]
[He was half expecting her to make something experimental for him to try, and he wouldn't be opposed either. He would generally try something that she made at least once, though if it was some of her unique art, he did keep it on display as both a point of pride and a reminder that his daughter was at his disposal to unleash on those that stepped out of line. Mostly pride.
He relaxed as much as he would allow himself as she busied herself in the kitchen making drinks. He took a moment to observe her, noting the carefree pleasure that she took in such activities. Good. With the limits in the usual technology and the lack of chem-tech, he had been concerned that the downturn of much of her classic gadgetry would stifle her happiness. This place seemed determined to make her miserable at times, and he wasn't so obtuse as to realize he contributed to that as well.
He crossed one leg over the other again and settled in for looking through the network.]
[with their beverages done, she paces her way over to silco and perches his coffee next to his hand, then leans forward to press a gentle kiss to his temple. with hers, jinx will let it sit on its own untouched as she does some cleaning.
and thanks to her shimmer ability, the cleanup goes fairly quickly — her zipping and teleporting almost back and forth between the sink and the drying racket with each little messy dish. she pauses in her speedy movement to take a slurp of her frapp, then races back to tidying up the kitchen. to this day, she still doesn't fully understand the hatred of the substance. sure, singed had some "duds" but they've definitely improved over the years.
and if it weren't for it, she wouldn't be standing here. although... some days, she wished her father didn't save her. there are so many teenagers down in the lanes who could do what she does. possibly better. what makes her so special is something she will probably never understand.]
[His eyes flicked to the drink that she set down next to his hand, noting that it appeared to be coffee. He expected that it would keep him going until the early hours of the morning, especially if Jinx added something that she might consider magical. He tipped his head into that kiss, appreciating her free affection.
He allowed the beverage to cool before taking the handle of the mug to lift it towards his lips. He blew over the rim of the mug as he watched Jinx finish cleaning up, and he noted that she seemed to be using the abilities that came with Shimmer. Some had the constitution to enjoy and thrive with Shimmer and others did not; he had had to believe Jinx would survive the process.
Now a year in Aldrip despite the difficulties this place provided, he wouldn't change having this second opportunity.]
Cookies and crème frapp, the hottest thing in town.
[except it isn't the hottest thing, when she has yet to advertise or sell the drink to anyone. but his light curiosity bubbles a sly smile on her face, and she sashays her way back to her father while scooting her own drink inch by inch to his perimeter.]
You wanna tassste...♪ ?
[whether the answer will be a "yes" or a "no", jinx will still hunch forward onto the table with her arms folding on the counter — her eyebrows squirming at his direction playfully.]
— And don't tell anyone, but this drink? It'll get all the gray out of your hair. AND!! It'll put that kick in your step. Exactly what you need in during those gross, "why I gotta live" days.
[Silco raised his eyebrow, remaining politely curious of this 'hottest' drink as it was nudged towards him. Sugary foods were not something he partook often, least of all drinks. He had his vices and sugar wasn't one of them.
Still, he slowly reached out and took her drink so that he could bring it to his lips. He took a small taste of it, wrinkling his nose at its sweetness but also the mild shot in the arm of caffeine that came with it. He set it back down and inclined his head towards his daughter.] I expect that will sell well, yes. You should make an iced version for the summer.
[Then he pushed it back to Jinx, purposefully setting his hands around his coffee mug instead.]
Though, I don't have the kind of days you're referring to. [A lie. When Jinx had refused to talk to him for a month after he had died, there had been a few dark days. He wasn't certain her drink would do the trick unless it was her who made it for him.]
[she nods to his suggestion, definitely something she will have to jot down later when she returns from her mission. but when silco voices about not having those particular days, there's a sudden shift of slight unease in the air, and jinx casts her gaze so quickly to her drink, like it might evaporate out of sight if she didn't keep her eye on it in time.]
Oh.
[his daughter says, curling her fingers tight on the cup and raises it to her lips.]
Good.
[she mutters the word around the rim, and takes another long swig to help fill the silence, or to give silco a chance to come up with a different subject. although, it's great to hear her father doesn't seek for death like she does, it would break her heart otherwise, and it would mean she would have to try harder to bring more joy into his life.
but did she slip and blew her cover just now? jinx hopes not. maybe her constant dark humor polluted her words enough that her hidden message flew right pass him. except silco isn't an idiot like most men, so gulping down her beverage is the only thing she can do to keep the ball rolling.]
[Silco lifted his mug towards his lips, but it stopped before reaching its destination at the two simple yet telling words that escaped his daughter's lips. His mismatched eyes slid over to observe his daughter, and he slowly and with a controlled casualness returned his mug to the table. He made a point of saying nothing at all while Jinx drank her 'cookies and cream' as if to fill the silence with motion.
It did not surprise him. Jinx's moods swung like a pendulum at times, and the demons that haunted her no doubt pushed her down along the road towards complete self-destruction. He had experienced similar a long time ago, and while the memories had dulled with time, the emotions of acceptance towards the black void were a sharp and jagged.
He pushed his chair back from the table, turning it slightly to the side so there was more room. Then he held out his hand to his daughter; he knew she would choose his hand (always did) so that he could pull her into his lap.]
[her stare bounces from his face to his hand, once, twice before she settles her cup down back on the table. jinx chuckles apprehensively while she cleans her mouth with her forearm — increasing her joking attitude to another level.]
Pfft, what? Oh, come on! Who hasn't thought about that here, huh?
[still, she approaches carefully towards her father with her chilled fingers brushing smoothly against his lukewarm ones (a slight contrast of temperatures between her drink and his).]
With all the monsters, and mazes, and our brains being scrambled, we've all thought, "Gee, this is the pits! If this place wants to kill me so bad, I should do it a favor and do it myself!"
[and as jinx rambles quickly and uncontrollably, she glides onto his lap and fidgets with her split ends of her braid in a manner to keep her hands occupied.]
Except you don't stay dead. — Nothing ever stays dead when it comes to you. You get one step closer to someone, and kabam! They're gone.
It's cool that they come back, but what's the point of getting close? You'll just off them all over again, o-or they'll disappear the moment you feel something that isn't...pain. And when they come back, they'll just... forget all about you and everything you've had with them like you're nothing. Like you've never existed. So why exist?
[jinx wets her lips, then peers up at silco with a weak and wobbly smile. she is still trying to play up her act of being so unbothered, and speaking... well, not in first person but... in whatever point of view this is supposed to be.]
[He let her talk, reeling her in slowly as he always did when topics turned to this manner of seriousness. She could play it off however she liked, but with each word, she revealed more and more of her state of mind and that was something he could work towards correcting by providing something for her to focus on. This mission had the opportunity, but it also wasn't something that he had provided to her and set the stakes.
He issued a low hum of amusement to her declarations.] Perhaps for those that have something to return to, they are more inclined to allow the trials of this place to wear them down. This place is no better and no worse than the Undercity.
[It was perhaps a misconception for him on that, of course. As someone who had no fantastical powers, no overt and obvious show of rebellion, he maneuvered this place far easier than he ever had in the Undercity. When was the last time he had to send body parts back to another Chem-Baron or hostilely storm into a business for collections or any number of other intimidation tactics that served him in keeping his stranglehold on Zaun. After all, what more could he lose here that he hadn't already before?]
It seems to me that you've had an unfortunate dating history. If you think about it, your sister and I both remain through all the trials. You are close to us. There's the brute as well, though I expect he is either too stupid or too stubborn to die. [He didn't enjoy mentioning the sister, but it was valuable to remind her that there were people that stood in her corner regardless.]
Your existence is a blessing to me. I would find it upsetting if you disappeared from my life.
[His arm curled around the small of her back to support her now that she was in his lap. His other moved to curl over her knees and pull them up higher on his thigh where he was confident she couldn't and wouldn't simply slip off of her current perch.]
I... suppose there was a few moments, fleeting though they were. What would be my purpose or my path if I wasn't building this place to give to you, my only daughter?
[she snorts at first, not purposely trying to insult her father by many means, but the statement was a bit... ironic in her standpoint.]
Heh, yeah. Until you two killed each other. It's funny how that happened, isn't it? I told the both of you how I didn't care if you two off yourselves by one another 'cause I was so pissed off, and looked how that turned out.
[is she blaming herself for that too? absolutely.]
Never thought my "Jinx" worked with words, too. ... I've been calling Caitlyn a witch for months, but it turns out that I'm the one. Wonder what others spells I can cook up.
[regardless of her words, her actions contrast them as she leans forward to rest her head against his chest — screwing her eyes close to inhale the familiar sight of him.]
[It was his turn to snort, shaking his head. His grip tightened on Jinx, amused how she blamed herself for an action that he clearly was going to pin on the sister squarely. He was defending himself, though it came at a price with his daughter.]
It's because of you that I didn't kill her earlier. Do you honestly believe I would let that threat walk unchecked normally?
[Silco made it a point to neutralize threats to his empire, and just the idea of the sister had been enough to infuriate him. He understood the threat that she was, even here, as he had experienced it on more one occasion when he had first arrived. However, that sister was not the reason that they were sitting like this at present.]
If you can turn those words upon your enemies and rivals, it would allow you to seize control of Aldrip I expect.
[Of course everything was about some form of conquest with him. It's how he had been operating for so many years that striving for that came as easy as breathing, and he had spent years nudging Jinx in the same direction that he had walked.]
I consider my life better with you in it. That's a blessing.
[there's something so soothing about hearing his voice booming from his chest, and jinx nudges her head more into it just so she can listen more of him speak. she doesn't say anything for a moment or so, there's probably no need to when she is feeling a bit better with how he is feeling regarding of her, well, little hidden secret.
the emotion of seeking for death will return in the future, she knows. if depression could evaporate simply just by talking, she would have been on cloud nine a long time ago. but at least now, if this feeling ever returns to her again — she'll think back on this conversation, and his words.]
I want to always stay with you. I don't want to leave, e-even when... I get mad sometimes. Or... jealous.
[He lifted his hand from curled over her knees to cup the back of her head, his thumb lightly stroking the side of her head where it rested against his chest. There had been a tension between them that felt as if it had finally abated for the time being in their moment of father-daughter honesty. It felt like those moments back in his office where it was just them and while everyone beyond those doors thought they were plotting something violent and vile, that often wasn't the case.
It was just them being a father and a daughter most of the time. They had that here and now, and he appreciated that more than he would ever voice.
He hummed in agreement to her statements, nodding his head as he tightened his hand briefly on the side of her head.]
You will always be my priority, no matter the other people in our lives.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
Action;
Date: 2024-11-11 05:30 am (UTC)[He did appreciate the close proximity that knives brought, but as he wasn't much of a combatant, firearms kept him at a distance. His preferred method was to remain outside of combat and allow others with such skills to do so on his behalf. Still, he didn't deny that his place put him at a disadvantage at times, which he did find regrettable.
Still, their hold on the city had to be careful and refined. Many of the Chosen were more powerful than they were and he didn't and wouldn't fall back on Shimmer for himself. So they had to be smart, and he needed control of the market as much as possible. If he had the supply chain, he had control over everyone else. Then the city would be theirs.
Let people have their vices. Those that wanted to leave should be shown the door.]
Most people have alcohol as a vice, being it is socially acceptable, so either the bars or the casino I would surmise.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-12 05:50 am (UTC)it's only been seconds when his daughter returns to the kitchen, but in her hands, the bluenette holds a fresh sheet of paper and a red marker. she sets the wordless document ]before him, and she stands by his side to hunch forward with her shoulder brushing against his. silently, his daughter begins to doodle — a building that seems to replicate the casino, then draws a bunch of disasters round it. thunderstorms, meteors, a twister, even monsters circulating the building with some flames sprouting out of the windows.
after she draws this tragedy, underneath the building she sketches a tunnel that leads down deep into the soil. then she draws a big rectangle box with stick figures inside. also inside this, she draws beds, cans that represent food, and bottles of water.]
Action;
Date: 2024-11-12 07:00 am (UTC)Uncertain how long she would be or even where she went, Silco reached out for his plate to pull it closer. Perhaps she had gone for an ice cream run or something. A moment later, he stood corrected as she returned to him with paper and the intent to draw him a picture or two. His hand lifted to touch her elbow lightly as she leaned forward, and he shifted so he could watch her draw.
It was imaginative, and it also wasn't beyond what he had also been thinking for some time. Topside was never a place they were meant to exist for a long time. He turned his head to regard his daughter, humming softly and with a nod of his head. A bunker would be useful. A bunker beneath most businesses that interconnected even better.]
A new hide out to replace the tree house? Now where to put it....
Action;
Date: 2024-11-13 12:27 am (UTC)[she corrects them, lightly tossing the marker aside before pointing the bunker with her chapped polished fingernail.]
This is for the Chosen. [the light caress of his hand to her elbow is appreciative, and she returns the affection by softly brushing her forearm to his.] — See, all of this crap?
[gesturing to the disasters.]
This place is always roping us into something. Sometimes it's every other month or longer. Haven't calculated myself lately. But when things go down? Everyone should report here. And you said the casino is the most popular place, so it's only natural for everyone to go here by default.
Make a bunker of safety, and that's how we get to control the city. Show that we care, and we worked our butts off JUST for their lives.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-13 02:56 pm (UTC)[It wasn't a bad idea at all, and it was one he had considered. There should be a piping system throughout the city, and if it was large enough people could travel or be restricted. Perhaps it was natural that he and his daughter would wish to return underground as well, a place they both knew so well.
He tapped the top of the picture where the establishment would admit people to the bunker in the first place. That would be problematic, but it could potentially be done, especially since one of the proprietors could move stone and dirt and metal.]
I don't own nor have a financial interest in the casino, so creating this here would require permission from the owners. It could be done, but I believe your sister has black marked me to one owners who would be very useful to create such a space. [He looked at his daughter.] However, I encourage you to see about bringing about this opportunity.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-13 09:01 pm (UTC)Oookaaay, then forget about the casino. [in its place, she quickly doodles the sandwich shop while sketching the meal next to the building to further emphasize what it's meant to represent.]
How about here, then? A lot of us got there to eat. Easier access to food too if we need it.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-13 10:28 pm (UTC)It is true. We should start with an establishment that is owned by one of us. That way we have better control.
[Still, Toph would be useful in creating the space, but it could be done by hand. That's what Zaun was famous for.]
We should develop blue prints on what we want and the size of the space. We should consider interconnectivity to other businesses or buildings.
Action; foreshadowing because it's canon to do it.
Date: 2024-11-14 12:42 am (UTC)What would you ever do without me?
[giggling, she reaches over for a chip between her index and middle to hover in silco's viewing. even with all this talk about planning, jinx hadn't lost track of the real thing that's important, and that's her father's health.]
Action; paiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnn
Date: 2024-11-14 02:50 pm (UTC)Suffer, obviously.
[His head moved back a few centimeters when suddenly there was a chip invading his personal space. He sighed and lifted a hand to try to take it from Jinx. Yes, yes, he would eat, daughter.]
Alright, I understand your point.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-14 04:10 pm (UTC)it seems she is deciding to tap in her café alternate self to construct something more exquisite. jinx, unfortunately, has yet to have a chance to really open her coffee shop due to all the mishaps she came across, but maybe this month will finally be the day.]
Coffee helps you live longer, you know. As long as you have the right amount in your day.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-14 04:29 pm (UTC)I find that spite is the best remedy for dying but to each their own.
[He made a point of watching her bustle around with what looked like intentions to make drinks. He supposed she was practicing for the inevitable opening of her café.]
Are you planning on making us coffee?
Action;
Date: 2024-11-14 05:30 pm (UTC)[that's all he will get out of her as she begins to work on their beverages. she is even allowing him to watch her work front and center, seeing most of the magic is done behind the counter.
jinx doesn't want to experiment on her father's taste buds (that's what vi will be for), so for him, she will make a simple coffee. as for herself, well, it's to be expected what kind of beverage she is making. something way too sweet and chocolatey that may or may not keep her up for another hour or two. all the while she is making their drinks, there's some sort of aura of tranquility glowing around her — a genuine smile that shines so seldom on her that it almost feels foreign.
when she is with vi, silco, and making her weapons, that's when she senses happiness. ragna has become another individual who is able to bring that emotion out of her (ekko too, if he was still here). and now her father gets to witness another thing that brings a sense of joy out of her, besides gadgetry. but making beverages is just another way of creating; tools still needs to be used, coordinating the right measurements and temperatures, and the finishing products looking exactly how she imagined it in her mind coming to life is always something worthwhile. something she can do, something she can build, and fix.]
Action;
Date: 2024-11-14 09:41 pm (UTC)He relaxed as much as he would allow himself as she busied herself in the kitchen making drinks. He took a moment to observe her, noting the carefree pleasure that she took in such activities. Good. With the limits in the usual technology and the lack of chem-tech, he had been concerned that the downturn of much of her classic gadgetry would stifle her happiness. This place seemed determined to make her miserable at times, and he wasn't so obtuse as to realize he contributed to that as well.
He crossed one leg over the other again and settled in for looking through the network.]
Action;
Date: 2024-11-15 12:18 am (UTC)and thanks to her shimmer ability, the cleanup goes fairly quickly — her zipping and teleporting almost back and forth between the sink and the drying racket with each little messy dish. she pauses in her speedy movement to take a slurp of her frapp, then races back to tidying up the kitchen. to this day, she still doesn't fully understand the hatred of the substance. sure, singed had some "duds" but they've definitely improved over the years.
and if it weren't for it, she wouldn't be standing here. although... some days, she wished her father didn't save her. there are so many teenagers down in the lanes who could do what she does. possibly better. what makes her so special is something she will probably never understand.]
Action;
Date: 2024-11-15 03:38 am (UTC)He allowed the beverage to cool before taking the handle of the mug to lift it towards his lips. He blew over the rim of the mug as he watched Jinx finish cleaning up, and he noted that she seemed to be using the abilities that came with Shimmer. Some had the constitution to enjoy and thrive with Shimmer and others did not; he had had to believe Jinx would survive the process.
Now a year in Aldrip despite the difficulties this place provided, he wouldn't change having this second opportunity.]
What did you make yourself?
Action;
Date: 2024-11-15 03:15 pm (UTC)[except it isn't the hottest thing, when she has yet to advertise or sell the drink to anyone. but his light curiosity bubbles a sly smile on her face, and she sashays her way back to her father while scooting her own drink inch by inch to his perimeter.]
You wanna tassste...♪ ?
[whether the answer will be a "yes" or a "no", jinx will still hunch forward onto the table with her arms folding on the counter — her eyebrows squirming at his direction playfully.]
— And don't tell anyone, but this drink? It'll get all the gray out of your hair. AND!! It'll put that kick in your step. Exactly what you need in during those gross, "why I gotta live" days.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-15 03:38 pm (UTC)Still, he slowly reached out and took her drink so that he could bring it to his lips. He took a small taste of it, wrinkling his nose at its sweetness but also the mild shot in the arm of caffeine that came with it. He set it back down and inclined his head towards his daughter.] I expect that will sell well, yes. You should make an iced version for the summer.
[Then he pushed it back to Jinx, purposefully setting his hands around his coffee mug instead.]
Though, I don't have the kind of days you're referring to. [A lie. When Jinx had refused to talk to him for a month after he had died, there had been a few dark days. He wasn't certain her drink would do the trick unless it was her who made it for him.]
Action; cw: wanting to unalive )8
Date: 2024-11-15 04:25 pm (UTC)Oh.
[his daughter says, curling her fingers tight on the cup and raises it to her lips.]
Good.
[she mutters the word around the rim, and takes another long swig to help fill the silence, or to give silco a chance to come up with a different subject. although, it's great to hear her father doesn't seek for death like she does, it would break her heart otherwise, and it would mean she would have to try harder to bring more joy into his life.
but did she slip and blew her cover just now? jinx hopes not. maybe her constant dark humor polluted her words enough that her hidden message flew right pass him. except silco isn't an idiot like most men, so gulping down her beverage is the only thing she can do to keep the ball rolling.]
Action; cw: discussions of suicide
Date: 2024-11-15 04:46 pm (UTC)It did not surprise him. Jinx's moods swung like a pendulum at times, and the demons that haunted her no doubt pushed her down along the road towards complete self-destruction. He had experienced similar a long time ago, and while the memories had dulled with time, the emotions of acceptance towards the black void were a sharp and jagged.
He pushed his chair back from the table, turning it slightly to the side so there was more room. Then he held out his hand to his daughter; he knew she would choose his hand (always did) so that he could pull her into his lap.]
How often these days, Jinx?
Action; cw: discussions of suicide
Date: 2024-11-15 05:27 pm (UTC)Pfft, what? Oh, come on! Who hasn't thought about that here, huh?
[still, she approaches carefully towards her father with her chilled fingers brushing smoothly against his lukewarm ones (a slight contrast of temperatures between her drink and his).]
With all the monsters, and mazes, and our brains being scrambled, we've all thought, "Gee, this is the pits! If this place wants to kill me so bad, I should do it a favor and do it myself!"
[and as jinx rambles quickly and uncontrollably, she glides onto his lap and fidgets with her split ends of her braid in a manner to keep her hands occupied.]
Except you don't stay dead. — Nothing ever stays dead when it comes to you. You get one step closer to someone, and kabam! They're gone.
It's cool that they come back, but what's the point of getting close? You'll just off them all over again, o-or they'll disappear the moment you feel something that isn't...pain. And when they come back, they'll just... forget all about you and everything you've had with them like you're nothing. Like you've never existed. So why exist?
[jinx wets her lips, then peers up at silco with a weak and wobbly smile. she is still trying to play up her act of being so unbothered, and speaking... well, not in first person but... in whatever point of view this is supposed to be.]
Right? Who hasn't... thought that...
Action; cw: discussions of suicide, mention of dismemberment
Date: 2024-11-15 05:48 pm (UTC)He issued a low hum of amusement to her declarations.] Perhaps for those that have something to return to, they are more inclined to allow the trials of this place to wear them down. This place is no better and no worse than the Undercity.
[It was perhaps a misconception for him on that, of course. As someone who had no fantastical powers, no overt and obvious show of rebellion, he maneuvered this place far easier than he ever had in the Undercity. When was the last time he had to send body parts back to another Chem-Baron or hostilely storm into a business for collections or any number of other intimidation tactics that served him in keeping his stranglehold on Zaun. After all, what more could he lose here that he hadn't already before?]
It seems to me that you've had an unfortunate dating history. If you think about it, your sister and I both remain through all the trials. You are close to us. There's the brute as well, though I expect he is either too stupid or too stubborn to die. [He didn't enjoy mentioning the sister, but it was valuable to remind her that there were people that stood in her corner regardless.]
Your existence is a blessing to me. I would find it upsetting if you disappeared from my life.
[His arm curled around the small of her back to support her now that she was in his lap. His other moved to curl over her knees and pull them up higher on his thigh where he was confident she couldn't and wouldn't simply slip off of her current perch.]
I... suppose there was a few moments, fleeting though they were. What would be my purpose or my path if I wasn't building this place to give to you, my only daughter?
Action; cw: discussions of suicide
Date: 2024-11-16 12:05 am (UTC)Heh, yeah. Until you two killed each other. It's funny how that happened, isn't it? I told the both of you how I didn't care if you two off yourselves by one another 'cause I was so pissed off, and looked how that turned out.
[is she blaming herself for that too? absolutely.]
Never thought my "Jinx" worked with words, too. ... I've been calling Caitlyn a witch for months, but it turns out that I'm the one. Wonder what others spells I can cook up.
[regardless of her words, her actions contrast them as she leans forward to rest her head against his chest — screwing her eyes close to inhale the familiar sight of him.]
How am I a blessing when I break everything?
Action;
Date: 2024-11-16 01:32 am (UTC)It's because of you that I didn't kill her earlier. Do you honestly believe I would let that threat walk unchecked normally?
[Silco made it a point to neutralize threats to his empire, and just the idea of the sister had been enough to infuriate him. He understood the threat that she was, even here, as he had experienced it on more one occasion when he had first arrived. However, that sister was not the reason that they were sitting like this at present.]
If you can turn those words upon your enemies and rivals, it would allow you to seize control of Aldrip I expect.
[Of course everything was about some form of conquest with him. It's how he had been operating for so many years that striving for that came as easy as breathing, and he had spent years nudging Jinx in the same direction that he had walked.]
I consider my life better with you in it. That's a blessing.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-16 04:58 am (UTC)the emotion of seeking for death will return in the future, she knows. if depression could evaporate simply just by talking, she would have been on cloud nine a long time ago. but at least now, if this feeling ever returns to her again — she'll think back on this conversation, and his words.]
I want to always stay with you. I don't want to leave, e-even when... I get mad sometimes. Or... jealous.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-16 06:06 am (UTC)It was just them being a father and a daughter most of the time. They had that here and now, and he appreciated that more than he would ever voice.
He hummed in agreement to her statements, nodding his head as he tightened his hand briefly on the side of her head.]
You will always be my priority, no matter the other people in our lives.
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