ekkoeffect | [IC] Inbox for deercountry

I do my thing, you do yours, remember?

[Because he's not sure exactly what she wants from him. Hasn't been sure of that for a long time. Does she want him dead? Does she just want him out of the way? They aren't who they used to be, but somehow they keep circling back toward each other.]

And it's not hiding if no one's been looking.

Yes it is 'cuz I've been looking...!!

( similar to vi, she needs to know his location, his friends, and who he finds important. these are three key things jinx needs to know at all times and store in her pocket. when will they understand it's important for her to have this information in case something happens? if he or vi do something dirty, she has to find them, rough them up, and punish them for hurting her feelings. )

[He wonders if he's been more lowkey than he thought. It was mostly unintentional, but old habits die hard. He can't help avoiding being out in the open, choosing to blend into crowds, watching all sightlines when he enters shops to see who could be watching.

For someone who wasn't trying to hide, he may have done a much better job of it than he meant to. He's not sure how to explain that to Jinx, who sees malice everywhere and always assumes everything people do is some dig or attack on her.]

Not like I've been going out of my way to be seen, either. Been spending time at the archives, catching up.

Theeeen ♪, how about takin' a break and meet up with me sometime?

( is the smile on her friendly or up to no good? it's hard to say especially when she flashes him a small wink. )

I'll even treat ya to some food. We could call it a date.

( because who wouldn't want to go on a date with the one and only "the loose cannon"? if there's one big thing she misses in zaun is some of her followers. one liked her enough to make a song after her. or was the song more of a warning? who knows. )

Edited 2022-12-15 04:27 (UTC)

[His kneejerk reaction is no. It will always be no. For now it's no. Things are different here, but he's not as a point yet where he's not going to wonder all the ways this could go wrong. But he doesn't say it. Doesn't reject her outright.]

How 'bout we invite Vi and make it a family reunion?

[The last time all three of them were together...well it was fucked up. Maybe this time could turn out with less blood, death, and explosions.]

( the smile doesn't falter nor twitch. it stays exactly in the same position on her face. she holds it in place but in the back of her mind, there's nails clawing on a chalkboard. the audacity of this stupid firelight bug to invite vi in their meetup. of course, there's nothing wrong with her sister. it's just... she wants him alone. for a reason.

but perhaps having vi tag along won't be so bad. maybe she can wiggle some information out of him that she can't. he does seem to trust vi more than her. so... )

Sure, that'll be great! Good ol' Vi. Love her.

[The fact he face didn't change at all is a warning in an of itself. Jinx is dynamism, expressions, color, she's always showing or doing something. The fact she barely reacted makes him...worry.

Not enough to change his mind but enough for him to be aware.]

Really? Thanks. Sucks we've all been here for months and not spent time together. The three of us. No time like the present, huh.

( the smile changes then -- more on the warm side. )

Eh heh heh, yeah. Hope you got good trades to grab some grub while we're out. I'm not payin' for ya.

( she giggles despite this, well, will be very awkward when the time actually does come for the three of them to be together. especially when there's no... mylo or claggor. well. physically, anyway. )

Edited 2022-12-18 03:21 (UTC)

Hey, I got my own money. Whatever counts for it around here. Do you know what roots and mushrooms are going for right now?

[Quite a bit and he's been collecting as much as he can.]

Don't worry. If ya need some extra I'll cover ya.

Look at you being such a gentleman. Only about fifty percent though. Keep it up and maaaaybe I'll let ya in on a lil' secret.

( is... there a secret or is she bullshitting? but if there is a secret, what could she possibly know what he doesn't know already when it comes to trench? but still with a "up to know good" smile, she rolls back over on her back as she plays with her braid. )

Or maybe I'll just wait until you get bored of not telling someone your big secret.

[He is trying to be playful, but he never knows how Jinx will take it.]

Okay, I'm gonna have to do somethin' about you knowing me too damn well. I gotta start throwin' curve balls to get you off my trail.

( but in some way, she... likes that he knows her this well. it gives her a weird fluffy feeling that she can't quite explain what it's about. )

[It worked. He relaxes just a bit. Yeah, he has a little half-smile on his face.]

Not sure how that'll work. I've got a great swing.

Yeah and I think you've been cheating on your swings. No one swings that good.

( unless he uses his little time wrap watch magic. which MAYHAPS. )

No need to cheat when you know what you're doing. It's all about the timing. Ya gotta know the right moment.

[NO CHEATING HERE. OBVIOUSLY.]

Whatever. ( she rolls her eyes at this but her annoyance doesn't last for too long. ) ... Hey, this is kinda nice. Well, it's been nice. Just talkin' like this. So, uh.

( how to say this without sounding sappy? )

If you ever need to chat about science or... mechanics, don't be a stranger about it.

Yeah... [Maybe that was why he kept dragging it along, refusing to let the conversation die. They hadn't talked like this is so long. He doesn't want it to end.

A perfect moment in time when the world falls away and it's just them being them. Nothing else in the way. What if they can't capture a moment like this again?]

Yeah. Same for you. Need some inspiration from a better inventor, hit me up.

[He's teasing then, more genuinely than he's been this whole time.]

Night, Jinx.

( a small snort but a chuckle. like she would ever call him for that. although... she might, you never know. the smile gives him is warm -- a rare sight since she doesn't show it except for vi these days. there's a quick thought on whether or not she should say this next thing to him. because something tells her it'll be a slipper slope for her if she does. but when isn't jinx falling over herself? when hasn't things come bite her in ass with all of her decision makings?

...

ah, fuck it. )

... Night, Little Man.

[That name, those words, it hits something inside of him and he smiles, genuinely. It's small, but it's very much there. He shakes his head, holds up two fingers as a goodbye and cuts the feed before he does something that is too much for him right then, like starting the conversation all over again or calling her "Pow Pow."

One step at a time. He's not wanting to go backwards, only forward. And maybe here--in this crazy fucked up world that somehow isn't Zaun--Jinx and he can walk the same path for a while again. Maybe.]

[IC] Inbox for deercountry

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