[IC] Inbox for deercountry

[ekkoeffect]

You mistimed your call but that's okay. I'll still get back to you. Leave me a message.

[BEEEEEP]

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[ekkoeffect]

[A serious conversation? When they aren't under the influence of spiked food? He's not sure he can trust it--no, don't ever ever trust--but can he reject the opportunity?

opportunity for what?]

The world is shit, always has been shit, and we lucked out being in the shittiest part of it. [Another pause.] Doesn't mean you have to go out of your way to make it shittier.

[opheliac]

Getting rid of people who done us wrong isn't making anythin' shittier. It's a step forward to a better living.

( jinx shifts to flick the cigarette ash into the glass. )

That is what we all want, right?

[ekkoeffect]

[Should he point out that means him wanting Silco dead for killing Benzo. Because for whatever beef Silco maybe had with Vander, he killed Benzo first. While Ekko watched.]

Better living or living better?

[opheliac]

( she tilts her head over to face the camera — to him. her expression is horribly flat. )

... It's the same damn thing. Better living, living better. You're still living happily. You're just swappin' the word around.

[ekkoeffect]

Nah, it's not the same thing. It's all about which part you think is more important.

[opheliac]

Doing what I want, when I want, and how I want is more important. — Lil' the same for everyone else.

[ekkoeffect]

I figured you'd say that.

[It's hard to explain to her the difference. Should he even try? What's the point? Explaining to her the desire to do better and be better as a person versus the want for accessories and luxuries of living "freely." Would it make sense to her now?]

You ain't there yet. Believe me, when you know the difference...you'll know.

[opheliac]

Whatever you say, oh wise one.

( there's an eye roll there then back to ceiling because it's more interesting. )

You got any friends yet?

( why is this needed information? the same reason she wanted to know who all knew vi. )

[ekkoeffect]

[One of these days he's gonna get whiplash from her and how she changes topics.]

I haven't been around that long.

[He's not answering the question in a yes or no. Her asking about other people is never a good idea.]

[opheliac]

Awww, my poor lil' Firelight. You against the world, huh? — Bet that's hitting ya kinda hard.

( is that a mean jab how he is here without his bug group? possibly. and as far as she's concerned, that's a very good thing. it's annoying having to fight against a group when she's all by her lonesome. sure, she can squish a few, but when they're flying all around her at once? it's tricky. )

So what will you do? Recruit new ones?

( because what is a leader without followers? and if he does decide to go that route, she'll need to keep an eye on who joins him. she won't do anything about it, but it'll be nice information to have in her pocket. safe keeping. )

[ekkoeffect]

[It's a jab that connects more than he wants it to. Because he is alone. Crazy to be trapped in some other world built on giving you a whole new life with the two people who are the only family he has left and he's alone. He's been stuck in this arrested position, trying to slowly figure this world and his place in it out.

Maybe the problem is he's looking for a place instead of making one.]

I don't recruit. I put out what I'm doing. If other people are down, they join in. And if it's only just me, then that's what it'll be.

[opheliac]

( there's a slow yet easing sigh that she lets out from her torso. her eyes are shut with a pleasing smile along her face. it's probably strange for her to grin over his words. well, for anyone who doesn't know her very well or how she works. sometimes jinx ponders if the two of them are just on the opposite side of the same coin. they were best friends once upon a time so maybe it's more obvious than one would think.

the blue haired girl rolls to her side to face him; lying somewhat in a fetal position and the smile inches wider. )

Great minds think alike.

( — and to why she can't seem to quit him, either. even with a new world and a new life, this back and forth game she invented in her head is far too fun to end. his mind is something she wishes to pick at, and his cunning ways from time to time when he gets the upper hand (as infuriating it is) is...intriguing. like a moth flying to a flame. how funny that is. )

[ekkoeffect]

["Great minds think alike." Something they would have said to each other in teasing agreement back then. Because they had been two peas in a pod. They'd gotten each other in a way no one else did. She'd been his sister in ever way but blood. So all the ways that mattered to him.

Not that it should matter in the now. They'd both chosen their sides--or rejected all sides. This world didn't change that or did it?

He huffs, but it's not annoyed or angry or amused. Just...thoughtful.]

Heh. Maybe. You talk about me recruiting, but you're the social butterfly.

[opheliac]

Ooo, am I? Have you been watching me? If you have, why not come out and play?

( "play" has many meanings and she isn't the one to tell him which kind of play she is referring to. he may be her enemy but that doesn't mean he isn't an attractive enemy. still grinning, jinx teasingly wiggles her eyebrows to him -- surprisingly getting comfortable just lying on her carpet. )

I mean if ya wanna play a game of hide and seek, you shoulda told me I was the seeker.

[ekkoeffect]

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.

[opheliac]

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. )

[ekkoeffect]

[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.

[opheliac]

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. )

[ekkoeffect]

[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.]

[opheliac]

( 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.

[ekkoeffect]

[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.

[opheliac]

( 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. )

[ekkoeffect]

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.

[opheliac]

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. )

[ekkoeffect]

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.]