[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.
[this time, she doesn't lift her head when she asks — it's better to keep her head tucked away and still in order to question such a bold thing. or at least, she feels what she said was a daring statement.]
Jinx... you will always be my priority regardless of who I associate with.
[Had he not proven his loyalty to her over and over? He supposed there was... an issue that lingered between them that he had not broached. Even now, he expected whatever this was with Richard would implode on any given day.
He lifted a hand to touch the back of her head where it rested against his chest.]
[she exhales out a defeated sigh, but not making an effort to leave his lap and how close she is to him (at least not yet. she's not ready).]
I know, I know. It's just... — I know you've been with this person for months now. And I guess... I'm still expecting it to not be... permanent. I'm more used to you having one night with some floozy, not... this.
It's still weird a-and I am... trying. It's not so easy to accept. I guess.
[His fingertips lightly caressed her head, and he understood her anxiety. It was... a big change for the both of them because she was right in that he didn't allow himself deep connection. He preferred his anger, his bitterness, and his ambition to ignore such potential relationships.
He dropped his arm to curl around her shoulders to pull her against his chest a little more.]
Perhaps it won't be permanent. Time will tell; I'm not... well, you know. Whatever this is doesn't happen to be my strength.
[He patted her shoulder lightly.]
You are my priority. You are my daughter, my only child. Nothing and no one will change that.
And nothing's ever gonna change that you're my dad.
[she cuddles more into him as he pulls her near, but then peers up at him again as she carefully raises a hand to rest on his scarred cheek.]
Vi and everyone else can say whatever they want. About all the wrong stuff that you've done, maybe it's all true. Maybe it's not. — But you took care of me, you've always taken care of me.
Indeed. We made that choice to be a family that day.
[He closed his blue eye and leaned his face subtly to her hand, though his sensation on that side of his face was muted in many places. He appreciated the contact; she was the first person he allowed that close routinely in a very long time.]
I don't concern myself with the opinions of others. I do what I have regardless of whoever stands in my way to achieving that goal.
[she hums sweetly while her padded fingertips trace along his scars. when she reaches near the end of them, she tugs her hand away then flings her attention to their table — the plate of food, and both of their beverages long forgotten until now. cream of her drink melted and mixed with the cookie smoothie, and his coffee, probably cooled.]
Heh, do you ever run out of goals?
[just a light jab of how her father always have something cooked up despite having one task meeting its demands.]
[He had all but forgotten about food since she had settled into his lap, and that was all too typical of him. He would, of course, finish his coffee since she had gone out of her way to make it for him and show off her skills for the upcoming cafe.]
No, why would I? Everything I do is for your future.
I don't... think it's something we can control, Silco. The AI is almost like the gemstone. The crystal's been its own thing lately, and I can't really make it behave the way I want it to.
[maybe if she sat down and really think hard enough, she can come up with something to get a hold of the system. but they've already tried blowing up the place, and it's not leaving any marks like when ragna did it the first time.]
So I've been putting it in time out for the last few months.
There are avenues that we haven't tried, and until our exploration of this place and its mechanizations are explored, we cannot lose sight of what control could mean. This is a simulation, so control may come simply by understanding what it is trying to achieve.
[Silco was always forward looking, had been since he had been old enough to understand being seen as lesser, denied even the basics of survival, and since the first idea of Zaun had come to fruition all those years ago. This wasn't Zaun, but it was the next best thing, so he would never stop seeking control of this system which would be his state of permanence for as long as it lasted.
He lightly tugged at the base of one of Jinx's braids.]
And this place hasn't been putting you in time out for some months as well.
[she leaves his first little ramble to hang in the atmosphere, not having too much to say on the manner. jinx wants their new home to be better, and compared to where she's from, it's definitely a million times better. it has its hiccups, sure, but the people in it are decent enough. although, she has yet to see how anyone can control something that doesn't have a physical being.]
Heh, yeah. What gives, huh? Maaaaaybe it's busy with bigger fish.
[with her father tugging airily at her braids, she squeaks out a sound — but not out of discomfort or shock. just because she simply can.]
[This was the last home that they would likely have, so it was best to make the most of it as far as he was concerned. It was unclear if people aged normally and if aging would result in end of life. There were diseases and ailments that people came with, but without death being permanent, it was difficult to conjecture what the long-term future would hold. He wanted to know.
He shrugged his shoulders, stroking his hand down some of her braid after her obvious theatrics.]
Maybe they are back to spreading out the punishments. Jerry clearly has retired.
[That was a change that he didn't care for one way or another.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
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.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-19 12:08 am (UTC)[this time, she doesn't lift her head when she asks — it's better to keep her head tucked away and still in order to question such a bold thing. or at least, she feels what she said was a daring statement.]
Action;
Date: 2024-11-19 03:44 am (UTC)[Had he not proven his loyalty to her over and over? He supposed there was... an issue that lingered between them that he had not broached. Even now, he expected whatever this was with Richard would implode on any given day.
He lifted a hand to touch the back of her head where it rested against his chest.]
Action;
Date: 2024-11-20 12:48 am (UTC)I know, I know. It's just... — I know you've been with this person for months now. And I guess... I'm still expecting it to not be... permanent. I'm more used to you having one night with some floozy, not... this.
It's still weird a-and I am... trying. It's not so easy to accept. I guess.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-20 04:19 am (UTC)He dropped his arm to curl around her shoulders to pull her against his chest a little more.]
Perhaps it won't be permanent. Time will tell; I'm not... well, you know. Whatever this is doesn't happen to be my strength.
[He patted her shoulder lightly.]
You are my priority. You are my daughter, my only child. Nothing and no one will change that.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-20 04:28 am (UTC)[she cuddles more into him as he pulls her near, but then peers up at him again as she carefully raises a hand to rest on his scarred cheek.]
Vi and everyone else can say whatever they want. About all the wrong stuff that you've done, maybe it's all true. Maybe it's not. — But you took care of me, you've always taken care of me.
That's what's important to me...
Action;
Date: 2024-11-20 06:04 am (UTC)[He closed his blue eye and leaned his face subtly to her hand, though his sensation on that side of his face was muted in many places. He appreciated the contact; she was the first person he allowed that close routinely in a very long time.]
I don't concern myself with the opinions of others. I do what I have regardless of whoever stands in my way to achieving that goal.
[Everyone else betrays them. It was only them.]
Action;
Date: 2024-11-20 06:26 pm (UTC)Heh, do you ever run out of goals?
[just a light jab of how her father always have something cooked up despite having one task meeting its demands.]
Action;
Date: 2024-11-21 04:52 am (UTC)No, why would I? Everything I do is for your future.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-21 05:00 am (UTC)[she turns to look at him again, then settles her head back on his chest before reaching over to grab a braid to fiddle her ends with.]
You owe almost everything, and there's barely any trouble around here.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-22 04:06 am (UTC)[It was about control, after all. He tipped his chin towards his chest after a moment to watch her play with her hair.]
We don't have control of the system itself, nor fully understand how it works the way that it does.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-22 05:20 am (UTC)[maybe if she sat down and really think hard enough, she can come up with something to get a hold of the system. but they've already tried blowing up the place, and it's not leaving any marks like when ragna did it the first time.]
So I've been putting it in time out for the last few months.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-23 03:59 am (UTC)[Silco was always forward looking, had been since he had been old enough to understand being seen as lesser, denied even the basics of survival, and since the first idea of Zaun had come to fruition all those years ago. This wasn't Zaun, but it was the next best thing, so he would never stop seeking control of this system which would be his state of permanence for as long as it lasted.
He lightly tugged at the base of one of Jinx's braids.]
And this place hasn't been putting you in time out for some months as well.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-25 12:08 am (UTC)Heh, yeah. What gives, huh? Maaaaaybe it's busy with bigger fish.
[with her father tugging airily at her braids, she squeaks out a sound — but not out of discomfort or shock. just because she simply can.]
Action;
Date: 2024-11-25 12:15 am (UTC)He shrugged his shoulders, stroking his hand down some of her braid after her obvious theatrics.]
Maybe they are back to spreading out the punishments. Jerry clearly has retired.
[That was a change that he didn't care for one way or another.]
Action;
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