[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.]
[in fact, she can't necessarily remember a time she hurt someone just to get her point across, or out of sheer wrath. she spits out threats, sure, her mouth tends to run for the hills before her brain can halt her tongue, but when was the very last time she shot at someone that wasn't self-defense?
jinx peers at her father and briefly taps his nose with her index.]
And whaaaaat about Mister Dangerous over here? — Remember, no candy if you've been rotten.
I know, but you should only be on your best behavior because you want to.
[Things had been going somewhat calm if one ignored the whole world ending and reset business and the monsters and the artificial intelligence. Of course, Jerry had been missing for some months now. Jinx had been making more friends and allies, staring a business. Things had been going well for her all things considered.
He glanced at her for the tap to the nose, giving her braid another light tug in response.]
I don't like candy, so I should survive. Though perhaps I need to be rotten so you can be good.
[even with the light tug of her braid, jinx forces out a weak chuckle at his statement, a strain smile to keep up the humor, but it's faltering.]
Heh, hey, that's not funny. Don't go do something stupid over me.
[his daughter shakes her head gently, then lets it drop heavy against his chest again. she should really hop off his lap soon, yet she wants to stay like this with him. ... which leads to a question, but she'll pop it a little later.]
Just... keep living how you've been. And I'll stay good.
[However, if push came to shove, Silco had been considering what he would do - what he was willing to do - to allow his daughter whatever she wanted. He had built this new empire for her, to give her anything and everything she might want, not particularly considering that his goals might not align with what she actually wanted. There would come a time when he wouldn't be here anymore, and he still had so much knowledge, advice and support to pass on until that time.
His hand rose and cupped the back of her head again. It wasn't often that they remained like this for so long. Normally Jinx was too energetic to want to remain this close for this long unless she was extremely sleepy, which this case was not.]
Indeed. This city will be yours in the next year or two. [Spoken like a promise.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
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;
Date: 2024-11-25 06:00 am (UTC)[in fact, she can't necessarily remember a time she hurt someone just to get her point across, or out of sheer wrath. she spits out threats, sure, her mouth tends to run for the hills before her brain can halt her tongue, but when was the very last time she shot at someone that wasn't self-defense?
jinx peers at her father and briefly taps his nose with her index.]
And whaaaaat about Mister Dangerous over here? — Remember, no candy if you've been rotten.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-25 06:28 am (UTC)[Things had been going somewhat calm if one ignored the whole world ending and reset business and the monsters and the artificial intelligence. Of course, Jerry had been missing for some months now. Jinx had been making more friends and allies, staring a business. Things had been going well for her all things considered.
He glanced at her for the tap to the nose, giving her braid another light tug in response.]
I don't like candy, so I should survive. Though perhaps I need to be rotten so you can be good.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-28 06:00 am (UTC)Heh, hey, that's not funny. Don't go do something stupid over me.
[his daughter shakes her head gently, then lets it drop heavy against his chest again. she should really hop off his lap soon, yet she wants to stay like this with him. ... which leads to a question, but she'll pop it a little later.]
Just... keep living how you've been. And I'll stay good.
Action;
Date: 2024-11-28 02:19 pm (UTC)[However, if push came to shove, Silco had been considering what he would do - what he was willing to do - to allow his daughter whatever she wanted. He had built this new empire for her, to give her anything and everything she might want, not particularly considering that his goals might not align with what she actually wanted. There would come a time when he wouldn't be here anymore, and he still had so much knowledge, advice and support to pass on until that time.
His hand rose and cupped the back of her head again. It wasn't often that they remained like this for so long. Normally Jinx was too energetic to want to remain this close for this long unless she was extremely sleepy, which this case was not.]
Indeed. This city will be yours in the next year or two. [Spoken like a promise.]