expiationlogs | August Catch-All

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August Catch-All - Glitching Event

Who: Silco + Open to All
Where: Around Aldrip
What: August Monthly Post – Includes glitching
Warnings: Violence, murder

i. Glitching Out
[The previous month and part of this month, Silco had been spared having alterations to his person. His businesses, his property and even the generalized environment had seemed to be on the fritz, and no one seemed to know if it was a result of the previous infection or if they had failed their ‘rehab’ enough that this place was destabilizing and required a reset.

Still, he had to continue business as usual while he investigated on his own. That was until he was stepping out from the Last Drop to head to another business for a daily check-in when he experienced a disturbing situation not unlike being struck by lightning. He dropped at the unexpectedness of it all, and it took him exactly one minute to realize the difference.

He could see normally from both eyes. The aches of his facial scarring and generalized age had disappeared. The air felt unbearably clean to his lungs. His hair fell forward into his face.

Silco pushed himself back to his feet slowly, and he looked down at this hands – youthful hands – and then reached up to feel his face. There was a puddle of water nearby which he stepped over to look into, sighting an appearance half of his previous age.

Yet, his mind remained intact. He was trapped in a 20 year old body, and he couldn’t deny how amazing it felt.]

ii. Around Town - Parkour
[He didn’t know how long he was going to be stuck like this, but it seemed prudent to take advantage of the spirit of youthfulness. While he didn’t have idle time per say in Aldrip, he certainly made time every time that he stepped out of one of his businesses to enjoy what age and reputation had slowly turned him from.

Fissurefolk were infamous for their abilities to scale buildings and get into places that few others would dare to. Silco had been the slimmest of their group, meaning he could slide into narrow alleys and scale buildings were Vander had trouble; getting down was Vander’s strength. So he was going to enjoy the freedom.

Silco could be seen around the residential and commercial spaces perform feats that were as easy as breathing for those of his people. Scaling buildings, run over rooftops and leap between buildings, flip over large open spaces, and even using random poles to perform. It was all about testing the limits of a body he had outgrown years ago, and he found he enjoyed himself.]

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[Staff of the Last Drop had wisely determined that Richard visiting was a common enough occurrence that they only waved the younger man through whenever he arrived. The bartender and serving staff shared knowing looks, but otherwise, they knew better than to say anything to anyone about the frequent visitations. It was easiest at the Last Drop to meet as it had the largest office with attached living space.

They had, perhaps, been seeing each other more than usual since he had been affected by the Glitch. He knew he had definitely been hanging around the younger man more often in the evenings, so the visitation during the late afternoon was not unusual and actually welcomed. A brief conversation before he had Richard sit on his big desk where he could crowd the younger man and press his nose into Richard’s dark hair to breathe in that familiar scent.

His hands rested on the desk, and he steadily began to press his weight against Richard when there was a sudden knock at the door to his office. He withdrew instantly, willing to maintain their ‘secrecy’ about their affair. His main barman stepped in, looking uncertain and concerned. "You got company, boss. Said they wouldn’t wait."

As if on cue, a familiar hand shoved the bartender aside and in walked Finn, the man flicking that annoying lighter with a sense of superiority. The equally familiar Renni followed, and the pair of them drew him a step over from Richard. He nodded his head and the door was closed behind the pair to provide him privacy with his very unwanted guests. They looked exactly as he recalled, except for the fact Finn was dead and Renni running scared.]

Finn. Renni. What unfortunate timing, as usual. Sevika is unfortunately not here to dust your seats today.

[The pair watched him, and it was obvious they didn’t see the young man that he was. In their reflects, he felt the age when he had arrived.]

We have business, Silco.

Do we? [He glanced at Richard then back at the pair.] Not with you, but with him, yes. Perhaps you should make an appointment.

[Finn made a point of easing into the chair on the other side of his desk, unperturbed by his coldness. This was their usual give and take after all. And just like usual, the young man’s fascination with that lighter was meant to be both a distraction and an annoyance.]

Who’s your companion? Looks nothing like the power Sevika has, so it seems to me you’re not in a position to send us away. Maybe send your little one back to the brothel.

[Richard had been one of the fortunate ones and had seemingly been spared from this newest affliction that plagued the city. There was no physical changes to his person nor any ghosts visiting him. Aside the usual ones, that is. Joan had started to act a little strange as she would only stay in the background and avoid confronting Richard. But the duke assumed it to be just one of her games.

But that didn't mean that Richard wasn't affected by the sudden changes in the environment, leaving him find himself rather out of sorts and anxious. And during those times he preferred to find support and grounding from the temporary warmth that Silco's company had began to represent. So, he made his way to the Last Drop and headed upstairs as usual. Growing more accustomed to this world culture and wanting to blend in more, Richard had decided to leave the sword behind and instead of the tight leather he wore black loose linen underneath his cloak.. Not really beating any goth allegations, there.

If he had any issues or doubts regarding Silco's new form he didn't show them. Brushing past any conflicting feelings Richard had decided to take most out of his companion's renewed vigor -- in form of exercise and sparring. Along with other activities, like right now.

It had become a sort of a dance that they knew too well. A brief conversation, a touch and a silent understanding. The steps followed each smoothly as always Richard dug his sharp gloved fingers in Silco's neck, playfully pulling on the man's now longer hair as he welcomed the contact.

But! The spell was broken before it even had chance to become reality. The knock on the door made Richard quickly slide down on the table, taking a step to the side so that it wasn't Too Obvious what they were up to just a moment ago. But before Richard had a chance to properly to fix his appearance a two beings that he could only describe as monsters waltzed right in.

Richard looked at the pair in disbelief, eyes wide as nervousness briefly visited his face. A golden sabertooth and a half-beast of a woman. He could recognize them as humans, sure, but at the same time they looked like demons who had popped right out of his nightmare. Luckily his shock dimmed out as he noticed that the pair barely saw him there and instead addressed Silco in a familiar manner.

Zaun truly was a city of monsters.

He listened the exchange between the parties in silence, sparing Silco a questioning look. Normally, he'd leave right away so that the man could have privacy with his dealings but something told him that this encounter could easily escalate and turn dangerous at any minute.

So, when the golden-jawed monster finally addressed his presence, in a rather degrading manner, Richard decided to play into the misconception. His lips curled into shy grin and as he turned around, walking past the table while dragging his sharp nails along the wooden surface.]

Come now. There's no need to be like that. We can all share, no? [He says, voice low and smooth like saccharine as he settles in front of the stranger, cocking his head to the side as he leaned on table behind him.]

[His blue eyes shifted from the Chem-Barons to Richard and back again, gauging the younger man's reaction to the invasion of their space. Silco had no body modification like most Chem-Barons, and previously his facial scarring had been his most defining feature. Renni and Finn leaned into the full atmosphere of Zaun, benefitting from the body modifications for their own pleasure and appearances. He doubted Richard had seen anything quite like it.

He narrowed his eyes, still getting used to the fact that he could, especially when paired with perfect vision. He set his hands on his desk so that he could lean over slightly; his frame wasn't as filled out as when they had known him, but it didn't seem to matter. He was keenly aware of his knife sitting on his desk. He knew Finn was aware of it as well, but he had not been much of a man of personal action. His ruthlessness came in making everyone else fall in line with the threat of him.

He would choke them out again, but that would put Richard in grave risk of death.

Instead, he was fascinated to watch Richard shift into a different gear, like the younger man was leaning into being a temptress. Finn didn't seem to notice or care much, focused on him as the real threat to the seat of power. Renni though was wise enough to eye Richard, never underestimating one who may be a sex worker.

He snorted in a degrading manner.] I wouldn't bother with Finn. He preferences only allow him to rise to the occasion when tears and whimpering are involved. You'd have better luck with Renni.

[Finn, unable to help himself, rose to the bait.] You owe us, Silco. You failed on your promise, on your so-called 'war' with Piltover. [Finn laughed, and it did sting just a touch to have his failure rubbed in his face.] I think we should have the Last Drop in compensation.

There is an issue. I need you to meet me at the treehouse. Come alone.

[Silco was still getting used to the unique experience of having his body altered because of this place. He had previously escaped unscathed such tampering, and he had expected to do so as last month he had also not experienced the effects. After a few hours where he didn't simply return to his normal body, it was likely time to inform the only person that mattered of his present issue.

He would not be replying to any questioning text in return, of course. If he thought it would alert her to something wrong, he definitely had done it on purpose. For one, he hardly went to her treehouse, leaving it to be her space - and he was certain she was actively having sex there. For two, he had previously never been able to make it up into her treehouse, unwilling and perhaps unable to climb that high. For three, he just plain didn't want to go there.

Special circumstances meant special meeting points. He didn't know how she might react to them being nearly the same age physically. After all, it wasn't as if he had ever kept pictures of himself from his youth, and it wasn't a point in his lift where he spoke of himself in a physical manner. No, he spoke of what had been done to him, not how he was.

Silco easily made it to the tree house, but he didn't go inside, still respecting her actual space. No, he sat on a branch close to the roof. The telltale glowing eye of his left eye was not present, no longer able to announce his location in the usual way. He rested a heel on the tree and rested his arm on his knee, watching for his daughter and playing in his head what he was going to say to her.

Surprise? or Now you can't call me old? or It doesn't matter how old I look, I'm still going to gut the boy? Perhaps he would wait to gauge her mood first...]

[ going to the treehouse to meet her father feels like an odd choice, especially when it used to be the residence of her and quentin. and she knew how silco felt about her previous boyfriend, so she would figure he wouldn't want to go anywhere near that had a single trace of him.

the selection of the stomping ground did make her feel a little anxious, too. while quentin is no longer in this city, some of his belongings still loiter (with a few unused rubbers) within, and to imagine her father stumbling upon them makes her face feel hot. not that he could make his way up the treehouse on his own, anyway, not without her activating her robotic monkeys to work the elevator. but it still rattles her brain as to why this place, of all areas. he said there's an issue, and to come alone, and by that itself — she takes her trusty pistol just in case there's danger ahead, or if he's in a troubling predicament. ]

[ weaving through the forest, she sprints while she sidesteps a few malfunctioning potholes along the path. this whole defect is growing too ridiculous for her liking, and her wrists are already developing tenderness over the constant snapping of rubber bands. maybe it's time to move them to her ankles next, and then after that? ... who knows. but right now, that's not important. what's critical is to find silco and seek out what's going on.

so the bluenette steadily comes into a halt when the treehouse comes into her viewing, lightly panting as she scans around for a familiar figure. except... she doesn't see him anywhere. did he change his mind after all? jinx whips out her phone to check her messages, except there are no new updates. the girl scoffs and taps her palm against the device, thinking maybe it's on the fritz again. it would just be her luck. ]

[Silco spotted Jinx when she came close enough to the tree, and her confusion was practically illuminated by her looking at her device for more messages. He used the opportunity to slip down from the branch to one further down, basically soundless except for scrubbing on some bark as his feet settled.

He eased into a crouch, setting a hand on the branch and then rolling backwards to hang down until he could ease to the next further branch, bringing him below the level of the treehouse base. He dropped to seat himself on this branch, leaning over to peer at his daughter through the dimmed light of the deepening evening.]

Look up, Jinx.

[He wondered if his voice would be different. Would she recognize him at all? Perhaps he should have sent her a picture.

[ hearing a somewhat foreign voice above her head, her impulses strike at her nerves and she lashes out her pistol without any hesitation. her eyes narrow, and her face stiffens — focusing intensely at the stranger who... has a likeness of someone she can't quite put her finger on yet. but her perplexity blazes vibrantly over her complexion, and the raven cocks her head to one side before she bellows out: ]

Who are you? How do you know my name, and what have you done with Silco? — You've got thirty seconds, Bonehead, or I'll start popping.

Edited 2024-08-11 02:45 (UTC)

[He had been on the other side of her pistol before, and a single wrong mood from him could earn him a bullet to the chest. Again. He stood from the branch that he had been crouched on, pushing stray strands of hair from falling out of his loose.]

I told you there was an issue.

[He stepped off the branch, toe touching on the next one down to bounce his way down the tree before landing with a crouch on the lowest branch available. His clothing was not anything she would be familiar with as styles had changed, and folded his fingers together as they rested on his crouched knees.

Maybe, just maybe, he was having a little fun with this.]

You wouldn't shoot me at a time like this, would you?

[ whenever he moved, her pistol trails with him — not breaking eye contact for a single second even when she can see him more transparently. but still, jinx scowls with her upper lip twitching skyward as her pinks searches for any clues to learn of this man's identity.

and his daughter manages to discover a few recognizable features, but she doesn't trust her mind too well, either. her eyes briefly twitch again and not wanting to evade her stare, she nudges her head the other way as to signal someone (except there is no one else present) to move. ]

Get a closer look. [ ... ] — Ugh, just do it!

[ anyway, back to the person at hand, and answering his question with a short foxy smirk. ]

Heh, that depends. If I like the answer to why you have your grubby hands on my dad's phone.

Edited 2024-08-11 03:21 (UTC)

[Silco didn't move from his current perch, and it was still a novel experience to feel a youthful body after years of an underlying chronic pain to his face. It hadn't slowed him much in his later adult life due to learning to ignore it, but the freedom was something he was definitely enjoying.

Jinx's reaction was expected, which was one of the reasons he wanted to meet with her away from other people. Despite the fact that she was aiming a pistol at his face, he still felt in control of the situations where he could manage external stimulus that might heighten her voices.]

That would be because I am your father.

[He leaned forward on the branch, putting his face closer to her own for inspection.]

I've been stuck like this for the better part of the day, and who knows how long it will last for. The corruption seems quick for some and long-lasting for others.

[ she blinks once, twice, as if her hearing suddenly went out on her, or he had somehow grown a second head in front of her. however before jinx could even begin to protest this claim, "mylo" comes into view and grants her an affirmative nod, but not without snickering over the close call of her gun firing at her father. again. wouldn't that be something, he says.

her arm becomes slightly rickety as her eyes dance between her supposedly father and the ghost of her brother. she still doesn't seem fully convinced, until he closes the gap between them, her pupils large and round while she quibbles at each little characteristics of his face. he is speaking to her, but jinx is far too mesmerized at this young man before, as her arm falls dead weight at her side — the pistol plummeting by her feet. his daughter gazes deeply in his blues, then delicately lifts a hand to shield where his bad eye would be. it's when she does this, that everything makes sense and her entire posture and face softens — the kind of gentle that is only reserved for him. ]

I've always known you were beautiful when you were young, too.

Edited 2024-08-11 04:02 (UTC)

[Richard's eyes briefly move to glance at the Beast-Woman in the back. Truth to be told this 'Renni' actually intimidated him much more than the golden man with her appearance that just screams a witch. The man mostly looked bizarre more than anything, a monster that waited to be slayed like in children's story.]

Well if he wants to cry I don't mind. We do not discriminate here. [He sneers, echoing along with Silco's jab. But fair enough, he doesn't make a move from the spot yet. The man was not interested in him and the woman looked like she might strike him down if he were to overstep. But it was fine, the more he appeared non-threatening the more likely it was that the pair wouldn't bother with him.

When the man raises to an obvious bait, Richard listens keenly. So, the group had bad blood between them in form of unsatisfied business? Well he had thought as much. But when the fool makes a demand for compensation Richard has to actually resist the urge to laugh. This? A bar for failed war campaign? How foolish and petty can this man be?]

[He didn't move when she could have a good look at his face, expecting that she would eventually make the connection that he was insisting to be true. He was not concerned that she would pull the trigger on him, and his confidence paid off a few moments later.

The corner of his lips twitched in a smirk at her reaction, pleased with himself and her for eventually recognizing him. He remained still as she raised a hand to cover his left eye, but her words caused him to abort lifting a hand towards his own face and stopping before actually making contact.

He was not used to people calling him beautiful, not even his daughter.]

That isn't... a common reaction, not even when I was this age.

[Silco found that Richard's response irked the young Chem-Baron as much as his own would; he felt a stir of excitement to watch the younger man - wait, older man now, right? - work with the situation. Of course, this behaviour was not abnormal in the Lanes, but he was not known to have pleasurable company openly.]

A new pretty dog, huh? You don't normally let others speak for you. Losing your touch?

[Finn moved to rise again, using superior height to look down on Richard, sizing the younger man up. The Chem-Baron even went so far as to push Richard's hair in an attempt to reveal the heterochroma.]

I won't provide you any compensation. Our fight continues. [Silco remained where he was for the moment, but tension began between his shoulders.]

[Renni stepped forward.] No. We've supported you enough.

[He snorted, shaking his head. There was no way he was giving up the Last Drop. There was a reason that he had brought it here, and two sniveling ingrates.] You wouldn't know what do with the Drop. It doesn't bring in money like your other ventures...

Control the Last Drop, control the Lanes. [Finn was reaching behind himself for a knife.] You can leave with your whore, or I'll take pleasure in reminding you why you keep Sevika.

[kakashi is aware that there are other people in town who have various means of getting around the rooftops, but he rarely interacts with any of them. today, though, he happens to be out picking up dog food when he catches sight of silco...entertaining himself. kakashi is already on the rooftops, as they're the fastest way he knows to get through town, but he merely runs and leaps from roof to roof, almost as though it's a daily chore. which, in his world, it kind of is. like a road through the village just for ninja.

at any rate, he pauses on the edge of a roof, two fifty pound bags of dog food slung over one shoulder, to better watch silco do flips and shit. it kind of looks like fun - not that kakashi believes in doing things just for the fun of it, really.]

Working out?

[surely, he thinks, there must be a reason the other guy is doing such acrobatics. kakashi's face is covered by a mask up to his nose, but his eyes are uncovered, his left eye milky and bisected by a long scar that starts above his eyebrow and extends down to his cheek.]

[When he had been this age, performing these acts had been a daily chore, just a way to move around to avoid getting beat up or potentially shivved. Up and down he would go to avoid the enforcers who had been brutal to them, especially with the raids he and Vander would organize and participate in. Enforcers were never so willing to follow 'gutter trash' down the short way into the Lanes.

It was a skill he could still perform when he was older, but it wasn't one he did often and almost never without consequence. Now he could return to that exhilarating feeling to crossing rooftops and pushed the limits of his wiry frame. He bore no fantastical abilities or specialized training, but he remembered what he had used to do.

It was rarer to meet people on the rooftops in Aldrip, though not in his city. So he pulled himself up from a shoulder roll after leaping a large gap between buildings, rubbing his dirty hands on the thighs of his pants. He rose, straightening and composing himself as he would as if he were in his forties again.]

Enjoying the pleasures of youth long lost to me. [It was conversational. He noted the heavy bags.] I take it you are not working out?

[ she tugs her hand away, and takes a small step back to give her younger father room to land in front of her if he wishes. ]

I don't get it. Why is this an issue again?

[ she asks with genuine honesty while crouching down to pick up her forgotten pistol, fastening it back on her hip in place. ]

Old people are always complaining about being old, and would always say — [ using a mocking old man voice: ] "When I was young, things were soooooo much better!"

[ she drops the accent and dialect with her head cocking to one side again. ]

Now you can move around and do whatever!! [ realizing how that sounded, she quickly corrects herself. ] — Uh, without the... creaky bones.

[that seems less offensive, right? ]

Edited 2024-08-11 15:32 (UTC)

[Silco indeed slipped from the last branch to settle on his feet. He was his usual six feet of height, but he hasn't filled out as much in the chest and shoulders at this age. His shoulder-length hair was currently tied back in a messy bun at the top of his head, though many strands had fallen out of it.]

We're basically the same age physically. I assumed that might make things strange between us.

[He was so used to her running her mouth about subjects that he barely even raised an eyebrow, even as he crossed his arms over his chest to watch her. She was taking this better than expected, so that was relief. She also hadn't shot him, so that was a bonus; the enforcers had enjoyed shooting at them as the scrambled back down to the Lanes or deeper into the Undercity.]

No, things were far worse when I was this age. Of course, we contributed to that...

[He did not, as a rule, talk very much about the Undercity of his day. His life seemed to start and stop when Vander tried to kill him in the Pilt, but being this whole did allow him moments to reminisce of the united Undercity he had once lived in, oppressed with their back against the wall and loyalty to each other when resources ran thin.]

Are you saying that because I climbed your tree without your assistance?

It's a little weird, but weird is fun!

[ and just for play, jinx activates her shimmer speed to skate around him in a circle, before halting back in front of him again with a wide grin on her face. ]

This means you can quit working all the time...! We can do all the stuff we couldn't do together. — Like climb my tree, which next time you'll ask before you do, or I'll hit you.

[ in despite of her "threat", it's in a cheery tone, and she clasps her fingers behind her back as she sways from side to side. ]

Sooooo! What should we do first? Play a game? Have lunch? Drink 'till we're stupid? Not me, I don't get stupid. Or race? I'll play nice and won't use Shimmer.

Edited 2024-08-11 15:56 (UTC)

[Silco watched her, and this was yet another reason that he never regretted his decision to save her life. Despite the initial suffering, Shimmer had saved her, had given her opportunities that the boy had nearly taken away. And yes, he felt responsible as well, sending her on that mission to recover the crystal. All the more reason to enjoy watching her play with the abilities that Shimmer granted.

He tilted his head in curiosity to her assumption that he would stop working all the time. What had he done to give that impression?] Why would I quit working all the time? If anything, I can work more. [He turned his head to look up the way to the treehouse.] Is that so? What are you hiding up there that I should know about?

[He sighed from his nose as she took his youth as a sign to get shit-faced or just plain run around like a couple of careless teenagers. So that's what it was like, hmm?]

Don't you think I carry you home from being drunk too often already? All of that sounds like 'fun', and you've told me I'm allergic to fun on more than one occasion.

[ her expression falls, looking a little floored at his responses, but it tightens up into a disapproval scowl. his daughter stomps ahead and forcefully links her arm around his, then, guides the two of them to the direction towards the city. if he stumbles in his feet, that will be his fault for not being prepared to be towed. ]

You're not going to work more, you're not going near my treehouse, and we're going to unallergic you once and for all...!

Edited 2024-08-11 16:26 (UTC)

[He narrowed his eyes when she seized him by the arm and all but started to drag him out of the woods towards Aldrip again. He expected in any other situation, she wouldn't physically take a handle of the situation like this, so perhaps this would be common behaviour for as long as he was stuck like this.

He followed, keeping to his feet and tugging on his arm an attempt to have it returned to him.]

That's not how allergies work, Jinx. And just what's in that treehouse?

[He, of course, would not enter it without her permission; he respected her space. The only time he would go there would be in the case of an emergency, which this clearly was not.]

Ugh, just stuff!! Girl stuff, y'know, when I'm on the "blood river". Junk like that...!

[ and since he is attempting to retrieve his arm, she allows him, but only to spin around to face silco with her hands on her hips. ]

It's not important, why do you care so much anyway? I don't ask about your room, and I don't wanna know 'cause I know what happens in there is gross.

Edited 2024-08-11 17:00 (UTC)

[Silco did not believe her for an instance on that, but he wasn't about to pry either. He already suspected what went on in there, and it wasn't worth embarrassing her or himself with an interrogation.]

My room? You mean sleeping? And housing my clothing?

[He did not have people over to the house. Ever. His offices on the other hand, well, they may have seen a little more company lately than usual.]

[ unfortunately, a wicked grin spreads on her face at a certain word he uses, and she, in fact, repeats the word using great emphasis: ]

Yeah, sleeping.

[ jinx is definitely expressing the word in an entirely different meaning, and that is the point. but she is also trying to be clever by playing with the term to mean his way too. ]

Something I don't really do.

[ spinning on her heels (and her braids flying around behind), she returns to march them both down the path with her arms extending out like she's balancing herself on a tight rope. ]

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Page 1 of 9

August Catch-All - Glitching Event

Closed - Richard

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Closed to Jinx

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cw: light voices and hallucinations

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ii

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