💥 OPEN; "I buried the unseemly urges"

[opheliac]

Who: jinx + YOU
Where: outside of pessiria forest for prompt 1, in aldrip for prompt 2.
What: meanwhile while the event has been going on, jinx was in rumpitur this entire time so she... missed everything. but now she is back in town and trying to do an errand but... there are some difficulties.
Warnings: mention of drugs, spoilers of arcane, and aggression side-effect.

❝

All thieves & lovers are faithful admirers of sin. By that design, I'm a player of your violin.

❞

A. ❝ I cast on your heartstrings a spell. ❞ (cw: mention of drugs + spoilers of arcane)

( when she makes it out of the PESSIRIA FOREST, her knees buckle and she sinks down into the grass; dead weight. her long pool of her azure locks shields her from the sunlight above her as her forehead plops against the earth. her calves are burning and her feet ache of pins and needles from the non-stop sprinting between here and RUMPITUR. jinx didn't think about stopping the entire way through, because it's a way for her to really see just what this new shimmer body of hers is really made of. they say it takes a full day to travel from one village to the next, but the teen enjoys a challenge and with her inhuman speed, she believed she could half that -- maybe less. and well, it didn't take her the whole day. but who truly knows when she doesn't have a sense of time at all with no watch or clock on her person.

swallowing up air to fill her lungs, jinx tosses herself back to lie on the grass -- holding onto a brown sack of goods. during her time in RUMPITUR, she got talked into doing an errand for a local who stated if she completed this delivery to ALDRIP for him, he will pay her handsomely. jinx was never the one who cared for money, but what got her interested was the scrap he was prepared to give up. and to her, that's worth way more than anything. the poor girl hadn't built a thing since she got here, and she's becoming rather restless about it. tinkering is one of the many things that can calm her thinking (besides causing destruction). and if she is going to make new sunglasses for scott, she's going to need materials. )

( but now that she's out of the woods, maybe she should take this time to freshen up somewhere. jinx's been living rather... poorly to say the least. her hair no longer in those twin braids but now wild and free with knots, twigs, and leaves. her attire is completely different too; a complete contrast of what she came here when she arrived. and not to mention, she's been starving all month and jinx can't seem to figure out why that is. she's been eating the same amount as everyone else in the world, but... it never seems enough for her. nothing is filling and it makes no sense to her. could it be the shimmer's doing? no. no that can't be it. there are no side-effects with the serum... that she's aware of. it's not like she stopped and had a lovely chat with singed after the surgery. but maybe her constant hunger isn't anything worth concerning and hey, as long as there's food in her belly, it's whatever! )

( she should get a move on, she reminds herself but instead, jinx continues to lie peacefully as the sun kisses against her pale complexion; eyes shut. it's not every day that a zaunite had such luxury to feel the green grass tickling one's skin and get any rays of sunshine. the air is still something she is getting use to, sometimes finding herself breathing a bit too hard than she should. )

'It's nice getting above it all, huh?'

( her sister in a much younger age rings in her ears, in which she can't help but to scuff up a tiny chuckle. )

Yeah...

B. ❝ & all you must do now is swear... ❞ (cw: minor side-effect of drug including: aggression)

( she is getting side-track, jinx is very much aware of this. but her hunger is really getting the best of her and she can't seem to focus on anything with her stomach screeching. and this is the second fruit she stole and scoffed down -- and yet... it's still not fucking enough. the frustration is boiling, and with the sack over her shoulder, the teen stomps through the town while purposely bumping shoulders with whoever is in her path. the thought of wanting to shoot the first person she sees for no good reason is lingering more than it should, and she very well might do it if she doesn't get a damn meal in her in the next ten minutes. the teen throws a death threatening glare at every person she sees, gritting her teeth at the sight of locals looking rather content with themselves. how dare they look so fucking jolly and fine when she's here practically starving to death?!

unable to keep her temper at a minimum, jinx turns on her heel behind a building -- throwing the sack of goods as far as she can (thank goodness it didn't bust). the teen yells out her tantrum as she kicks and punches the establishment nearest to her. what the hell is wrong with her? this shouldn't be such a big deal, but somehow it is. and all she can think about now is to tear the entire world apart because what else is she suppose to do with this feeling? how else is she suppose to get rid of it besides being violent right now? then before jinx realizes it, a pink tear drips down her cheek with her nose stuffing up that she needs to sniffle through to breathe. why is she being like this? feeling suddenly defeated, the girl presses her forehead against the structure with her eyes closed.... with her stomach still growling. )

C. ❝ That you'll fall right into my arms. ❞ ( WILD CARD )

these two prompts aren't doing it for you but you want to do something with jinx? this is the place to do it. feel free to PM me, hit me up @ discord (bunchew), or @ plurk buttlet

Comments

[opheliac]

( great. the last thing she really needs right now is someone approaching her and to get her to explain what's going on with her. because she doesn't know what's going on with her -- only that she is upset and starving. and if only it was someone she didn't know and was a complete stranger. by that cause, she can just say whatever she wanted or do whatever she wanted to that other person and they will never cross paths again. ... although, she could still do that here with this familiar face. but should she? it's rare but jinx actually took a liking to shinichi and that weird hand of his. and as she decided before... she does need allies.

when the boy is close, jinx jerks her head sharply to him -- her eyes glistening threatening and dangerously before she answers: )

Does it look like I'm okay?!

( that came out in way more venom than she hoped for, but it felt damn near good to just bite back at someone. the hothead girl pulls back from the wall -- her pinks piercing fiercely to his. )

— Lemme guess: you're gonna say next that I should calm down and we can work whatever is wrong with me out, huh? Love to burst that bubble for ya, Specs, but I'm in no mood.

[kiseijuu]

[ Shinichi's immediately flinching back a bit as Jinx's head turns so severely to him, those pink eyes flashing angrily his way. Up until this point, although he knows some of what she's capable of (which is murder), it's been.... hard to truly been afraid of the girl he'd met at the festival. Sure, he's been intimidated by her, but not extremely afraid. She's around his age, she's a fellow victim of this place, and she.... she's never seemed mean or aggressive to him.

But seeing those eyes looking at him like that, and the way the girl snaps the words, so full of poison... Shinichi's heart is skipping beats, and he's taking a step back. Only for Jinx to pull away from the wall and more towards him, causing the boy to give a startled sound. Migi's probably watching all of this, waiting to see if he needs to step in, but for now the alien stays still and quiet. ]

N-no...! I just— You looked really upset, and.... [ His eyes roam around a bit, taking in the girl's hair, tangled with twigs and dirt. What... happened to her..? ]

I just want to help you.

[ Despite everything, even his own fear causing his heart to patter like a frightened animal trapped in his chest, he can't run away. He wouldn't. Slowly, he lifts his left hand, reaching it out towards Jinx a little. Not touching, simply holding it up placatingly. ]

Have you been hurt.....?

[opheliac]

( she scoffs out a hard breath when he points out the most obvious thing on the planet. of course, she looks upset because she is upset. anyone with eyes can see that, although, he is wearing glasses so maybe the lens are loosing its effect on them. and the teen wastes no time to smack his hand away when it seeks for her -- another last thing she wants is for anyone to remotely touch her. )

No, I'm not hurt! I'm just fucking pissed! — I've been hungry since this morning and no matter what I eat isn't good enough. I'm so... sick of it!!

( turning on her heel, jinx goes off to retrieve the bag of goods she tossed earlier. and while she is on the verge to just abandon this stupid job she vowed she would do, she knows it's extremely important to get this done or else all of her other plans will fall apart. the blue-haired girl swings the sack over her shoulder again in a grunt before shifting her gaze back to shinichi. )

Look, I'd back the hell away if I were you. 'Cuz I got this stupid crap thing to do and I'm in a hurry.

[kiseijuu]

[ Shinichi gives a startled sound when his hand is smacked away — he quickly withdraws it, holding it close to his chest as he stands there with his own anxiety rising. This isn't good.... She's mad, extremely mad, and fueling that isn't his intention. Maybe he should leave, after all....

...But then he hears the girl say what she does next. She's been.... hungry all day, but what she eats isn't good enough....? Shinichi thinks of the townspeople acting strange, and of Migi's concerns that there might be some sort of illness or danger....

His eyes widen, alarm flaring up in a fresh way now as he watches Jinx retrieve a bag and sling it over her shoulder. Could she be sick....? Maybe it's completely stupid to not leave a person who's so angry, but it wouldn't be the first time Shinichi put himself in danger to try and help someone else. He can't leave her like this...! ]

Jinx— Look, I'm not trying to make you angrier, I promise. But if something's wrong, if you're sick... I could try to help you. You said you're hungry....? I could bring you something. Or maybe take you to a doctor.

[ His brow knits, concern etching in deeper. ]

Please, will you just... come with me?

[opheliac]

Take me to a doctor and I'll be sure you'll be Pow-Pow's favorite thing to waste bullets on. ( not that she had ever mentioned her machine gun, pow-pow to him before but the way she threatened him just now... definitely not something good. )

And I'm not sick...! I told you I'm just pissed off and hungry! What's that so hard to get, Egg head?!

( or lack of an egg head. isn't there a dumb saying about how wearing glasses are suppose to make you smart? although... he did mention about bringing her something. )

... But what kind of somethin'?

[kiseijuu]

[ He might not have "met" this Pow-Pow before, but the mention of bullets is, yes, pretty telling....! Shinichi takes another slight step back, but even now.... it's not his own safety he's predominantly concerned with, here. His left hand slowly moves to his right wrist, fingers gently curling around it. He's sure that Migi is listening to all of this, and he knows painfully well that the parasite will not hesitate to protect him if he thinks he's in some kind of serious danger. That would interfere with Migi's own survival, after all.

And while his wayward hand may be pretty "friendly" with Jinx up until now... Shinichi knows it doesn't actually have loyalty to anything. Migi would attack anyone that threatened his survival. He has before.

The boy swallows, eyes wide as he listens to her. He certainly has no plans to use force, he was hoping Jinx might just see some reason to his words, but.... she's so angry. What should he do...? Shinichi's casting a desperate glance around the area, as though for someone who could possibly help.....

That's when Jinx asks the question, and he's swallowing again as his eyes snap back to her. ]

What kind of.... oh—! Um, well, I was heading to the bakery, actually..... did you know they have one here? Usagi showed me....

[ Nervous, he's rambling a little. Pushes his hand back against his chest a bit more. ]

They have really good things there. I could bring you something, or— or take you there!

[opheliac]

(ah. so he knows usagi, too. this is actually a good thing for him that he mentioned her. not that she believe shinichi would stray her away into some different alley and gut her, but... again, this place is meant to be prison filled with the chosen who are sentenced to a crime they may or may not have committed.

and whose to say that shinichi is not a fantastic liar? they do exist, after all. but if he spoken to usagi and usagi is the one who referred him to a bakery, then he must be telling the truth. her back straightens and before taking a quick look over her shoulder at the bag. )

Take me there.

( her comment sounding more than an order than an agreement. jinx's eyes roll back to him as she approaches him -- making sure the two of them bump shoulders in hope he stumbles in his footing. )

And you're carryin' that. I'm tired.

[kiseijuu]

[ She's agreeing...? There's a rush of relief, but it's quickly followed up by a wave of fresh nerves as Jinx moves closer, eyes widening when then girl bumps her shoulder against him. It does cause Shinichi to fumble a little, stumbling, and he gives a little 'oof!' as he does so, but he's quickly moving towards the bag to stoop and pick it up. ]

R-right....!

[ He's obedient.... slinging the bag carefully over his shoulder as he quickly moves to start walking, heading in the direction of the bakery. Sure, he's pretty nervous with Jinx who's so clearly annoyed with him (and might get physical with him again), but he is relieved she's allowing him to stick around (so he can therefore keep an eye on her....) ]

It's not far from here.... [ Shinichi swallows, his other hand lifting to readjust his glasses, which were knocked slightly askew when Jinx bumped him. Cautiously, his eyes roll sideways to watch her as he walks, once again taking in the state of her. She looks like she hasn't seen a warm bed in awhile... Shinichi hesitates before chancing it. ]

Um.... apart from being hungry, are you... getting enough sleep? Do you have somewhere good to stay? I haven't seen you around the inn....

[opheliac]

Boy, you're pretty nosey, ain't ya?

( despite her words, her tone is abnormally calm when it rolls off her tongue. but her fists are still ball into rocks at her sides as they walk, her full attention straight ahead and nowhere else. )

The Inns packed. ( jinx reminds him. ) — Why would I stay at a cramped place with a buncha morons?

[kiseijuu]

S-sorry. It's just... well, none of us have parents around here or anything. We're all on our own, and it can be hard, so.... we have to take care of each other, I think.

[ Shinichi is concerned about his Fellow Young People!!! Never mind that he's spent most nights since he's been here unable to sleep and missing his mother.

He swallows nervously, hoping he doesn't say anything to set Jinx off again, but he's resolute in his task of getting the girl fed. She must be really hangry.... So Shinichi keeps steering them in the direction of the little bakery Usagi had showed him, all the while lugging Jinx's bag over his shoulder. ]

I think people're trying to get some houses made, so hopefully there should be more places to stay soon. [ But that being said.... he chances a sideways look at Jinx. ] If you haven't been staying there, where have you been staying?

[opheliac]

( she'll leave the topic about parents open and empty into the atmosphere, because it's the one subject she wants to keep a ten foot pole distance away from.

but he truly is a mush through and through for thinking this way, suggesting they should take care of each other when all of them are supposedly "criminals". it's that line of thinking that will cause them to become "easy pickings", she thinks. jinx won't say it out loud, but she'll think it. as they walk in, however, the teen will answer his other question since it's not that complicated or... traumatizing. )

In the forest. ( a beat. ) — And the other village. There's more than just this place, y'know. This dump gets hella boring to me and I'm the kind of girl that loves movin' around.

[kiseijuu]

There's another village....? I didn't know that. [ He hasn't actually been exploring that much... mostly sticking close to the inn and being careful. But he's looking back over at Jinx as he walks, taking in her appearance again. Her clothes, the state of her hair.... Did something happen to her, at this other village?

But she was also in the forest, she says, and the other teen's wide-eyed about it. He's a City Boy used to City Comforts, he can't imagine roughing it out in the woods... but part of it does sound kind of peaceful?? ]

I guess I understand getting restless. And it seems like having some silence out in the woods might be nice. ....Though maybe a little scary, at night.

[ He gives a little smile, then— looks up at the building they're approaching, the bakery. ]

Ah, there it is...! I have some coins from this place, so I can buy whatever you want.

[ Shinichi... you don't have that much money to spend...... He's going to go back to the inn completely broke, isn't he. ]

[opheliac]

Yyyep! If ya go beyond the forest, there's another place there. For you losers, it'll take ya a day to get there.

( not for her, of course. it only takes her half a day which is very convenient. but maybe she should take shinichi there sometime to check it out. he'll probably freak out over the locals being scale people than normal people. anyhow when they arrive to the bakery, her eyes beam in pure excitement. the teen almost went in right in the middle of him blabbering, but she stops herself when she hears the magical phrase of the day "i can buy whatever you want". )

... Anything I want?

( she just wants to clear they are on the same page here. man, her friend must be pretty loaded to suggest this! )

[kiseijuu]

Huh... that's good to know. [ He mulls quietly, a bit surprised and unnerved by this revelation. This place is bigger than he'd thought.... Just what else is out there??

No doubt, Migi will want to explore more of it soon....

But he's blinking as the girl questions, offering a little smile and nod. ]

Sure...! Please feel free to pick out whatever you like.

[ ...He probably only has enough for like, a bag of bread and sweets, but at least Jinx can pick out what kinds she wants to go in it... ]

[opheliac]

You gotta eat with me too, okay?! Food is always better with company, y'know.

( with and bounce and giggle, jinx scurries herself more inside the establishment to look over all the bread and sweets the place has to offer. the one thing she doesn't look at are the cupcakes -- it's the last thing she wants to give its attention to. so the girl focuses more on the cookie variety, practically salivating. )

I've been wantin' to try a cookie since I was a kid. Whaddya think is the best kind?

[kiseijuu]

Oh—! Sure!

[ It's an unexpectedly kind gesture after Jinx has seemed so annoyed with him..... He's a little flustered by all the changes; he can't keep up with this girl!!! But Shinichi's going to attempt to follow the other around as she flitters around to check out the sweets, nervously bumbling along after her. ]

Oh.... well.... I always like chocolate chip the best.

[ Shinichi is a simple boy, sticking to the classics.... he's not one to try anything too extravagant. But chocolate chip is the classic for a reason; who doesn't like it?? He gestures to a few freshly-made cookies, offering a shy smile. ]

[opheliac]

Chocolate chip.... ( she lets the name roll off her tongue before she takes her eye off the display then onto shinichi's hand. )

What about you, Pokey-point? You think I oughta get the chocolate chip too?

( for good measure, jinx reaches over to give the hand (aka migi) little scritches with her fingernails so it won't feel so left out in the conversation. )