CLOSED; DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS

[opheliac]

Who: ragna, jinx, & silco
Where: the last drop
What: family dinner that gets out of hand
Warnings: schizophrenia (from jinx) & violence (from silco)



[although her home is still being under construction, jinx is in high spirits considering tonight isn't going to be an ordinary night. for starters, dinner will be hosted in the last drop that had to be closed early for this special occasion. and while having dinner at a bar isn't exactly, well, ideal, it gives them an open access to their jukebox, and the enormous amount of alcohol beverages behind the counter. free of charge, of course.

second, it will be the first dinner she will be having with silco since... ah, well, she can't remember when. in a month? longer? her father had been a busy man, which is fairly normal, but the two had a thing since they've both been living in aldrip — a tradition to always have breakfast and dinner together. it got broken somewhere down the line, and while jinx kept her fuss to herself... it ached her. sure, she had learned to be more independent when she went back to runeterra, and she still believes her loved ones would be happier without her, but... a casual visitation or two couldn't hurt, right? so why all the mishaps? it's something she wants to bring up, but... she's not exactly sure how. especially when he's been unusually hostile lately.

thirdly, this will be the first dinner that ragna will be a part in. jinx had viewed him as her big brother months prior, but during her absence, it seemed somehow silco and ragna had bonded enough that the reaper became more than just a bodyguard to the family. and oh, what she would give to be that fly on that wall to hear and witnessed how that came about. but she can imagine her own pipe dream of it — the two men sitting side by side and just deciding they will stick together to honor her, or as a surprise gift when she came back. still, it's one of the many little things that brought her joy out of her very unfortunate life, and it's something she wants to hold so tightly to herself, even if it ends in suffocation.]

[it took a while for jinx to get dinner started, the whispers of the dead argued with her and themselves over what music to play on the jukebox as she cycled through the records. the song they settled and agreed with wasn't exactly... cheerful, and the bluenette knew it was the voices just trying to make her feel insecure about tonight and possibly more. but she focused on the melody and instruments more than the lyrics itself, and with it being so early in the dinner preparation, she wouldn't had to fret about silco or ragna barging in anytime soon to hear this depressing music. and while she feels they both would understand that this was her voices' doing, not her if asked.... it still would be an awkward answer, let alone still an uncomfortable subject for her. so off the girl goes, disappearing in the kitchen to start cooking, while also peeking over to the wall clock now and then to make sure things are getting done in a timely fashion.

she got distracted throughout the planning, like there was a crow perching and banging its beak against the window nearby, or she could have sworn she heard a snake hissing near her boots, except seeing nothing when she investigated. still even with those interferences and the song halting into a lull, jinx completed dinner in time with thirty minutes left to spare. she gnawed on her lower lip after setting the table, leaning against the bar counter as she did a quiet lookover at the entire pub. an idea sprung front and center in her mind, and the teenager raced upstairs to her father's office. she was only gone for a few minutes until she rushed back down to the lobby, skipping every other stair, then avoiding the last one step completely with a record in her hands.]

[quickly, she inserted it in the slot, and the music box busied itself with gripping onto the disc and settled it accordingly. when the needle aligned, a song started, and a soft smile spread along her face. jinx turned away and danced along with the tune — fantasizing the bar being filled with familiar faces and voices. silco doesn't like this song, she was aware, but... maybe she can sneak in one listen before her boys get there. what's the harm?]

Comments

[rebellions]

[ Ragna rolls his eyes, wondering if Silco's ever had an interaction in his life where he didn't take anything and everything as a perceived slight. ]

Nah, it's pretty much what I'd expect you to listen to. Hell, you probably remember when it was written.

[ If he's so insistent on acting like he's being insulted, then Ragna's here to deliver. Of course, it's still not that serious, and more of a playground level insult that they're both no doubt used to from him by this point. Regardless, he doesn't dwell on in, swiftly turning his attention to Jinx. ]

Sounds like a fair trade. [ As for his own day, the man just shrugs, taking a bite of his sandwich as well. ] Not much. There aren't many people left that would visit the church, anyway.

[conflictresolution]

[The answer to Ragna's thought was: no. It just happened to be worse now that he was afflicted as he was. However, the pair seemed to be having a relatively good time, and he wasn't willing to poison the moment that Jinx had arranged in the first place.

Yes, he had work to do. Yes, control wasn't going to be dropped into their laps, so they had to take it. However, both of those could wait. This would only take a few hours of his time, and it simply meant that he would sleep less. He was used to that. He did rate this as important, which was why he would not miss this opportunity. After all, this was what he was building towards, wasn't he?

He eyed Jinx at the new language, but he didn't question it. Everyone picked up various language snippets once exposed over and over. It was useful.]

Hmpt, I probably would given how much more senior I am to the both of you. Wisdom and experience count for even culture and arts.

[He was fine being called old. Jinx provided such commentary all the time as well, and it didn't bother him. He could be considered old for a Zaunite after all, especially when one factored into the life that he had lead up to this point. Of course, there was a death in there, so perhaps he had stopped aging? Who knew.

He looked at the food and it was a Jinx special; he was immediately willing to eat it. He nodded his head to accept the thought of her day.] Are you also paying him a wage on top of items from the shop?

[He considered Ragna a moment. Richard was still here and likely still visited, but he couldn't say that he was religious at all.] So what is it that you do to wile away the time, boy?

[opheliac]

Mm-hmm!

[her answer is geared towards silco's, then she stretches over the table for the extra spices to sprinkle along her sandwich. to witness her father actually eating the meal in front of him is really such an unusual sight, and it continues to conflict her thoughts if... what is going on with him should be a concern. that maybe she really is just overreacting like he's been suggesting.

but the moment her eyes meet the jarring part of his face, the dispute gets immediately squashed. no, no, no matter how much he stuffs himself, his body rotting away in front of them is not normal. the worry tickles at the back of her neck again, and jinx forces herself to look down at the sandwich between her hands rather than at either of the boys. just... stay calm. that's the key to all of this. and she is grateful that silco had rolled the conversation to ask ragna's whereabouts for the time being. it gives her a chance to calm her restless mind.]

[rebellions]

[ Ragna chews his food slowly, though it doesn't feel like he can actually taste anything. Not because the sandwich is bad, of course, but rather, he's too focused on other things, such as watching Jinx closely. The girl sounds cheerful enough, but knowing what he does, he's not buying that carefreeness is genuine. And if he can tell, there's no way Silco doesn't already know how worried about his well-being she has been. Speaking of whom... Ragna turns his attention to the older man, taking his time answering the question directed at him. Silco seems to be acting perfectly normally, but that only adds to the oddity of his condition... sure, Ragna doesn't consider it a big deal when half of his face gets corrupted by the Azure, but it's nothing new for him. As far as he can tell, it's the first for the old-timer. ]

... I've been trying to find any trace of those... terminal things, but no luck. Figures. Nemesis Horizon ain't gonna open again so easily.

[ The man says eventually, his scowl deepening as he speaks. It's frustrating, being stuck with no options to move things forward. This really feels like the case of having to sit back and wait until something happens so he can act in response, but that's leaving him restless and annoyed. ]

And cooking. I've been trying to figure out some vegetarian options lately.

[ He adds in the same tone of voice, like he's just continuing the previous train of thought. ]

[conflictresolution]

[He seemed to be obtuse to the scrutiny while they ate. He diligently put small portions of food into his mouth and chewed, yet he was eating. Of course, he wasn't eating because he wanted to so much as the expectation of a family dinner precluded that he was required to participate in the main event.

He did considered Jinx's confirmation for a moment, chewing slowly. She clearly had learned the need to build loyalty across multiple facets of an enterprise. There was a reason so many were willing to follow him to the worst situations. He made certain they were taken care of it.] All part of the cost of doing business. Hopefully this place will not strip them from you like so many others lately. [He huffed.] We are running thin on our own.

[Silco turned both of his eyes on Ragna, and he suddenly seemed very interested in the terminals. He laced his fingers together around his fork and then settled his chin upon his hands as he considered.] No doubt the terminals are spread across this land, perhaps one in each civilization that has risen and fallen before our cycle. Have you checked Rumpitur?

[He made a noise at the idea of vegetarian, but he cared less what people were eating. Food was food.] Any particular reason vegetarian?

get used to the BG music being from this. OST has good songs for killing, i recommend listening (8

[opheliac]

[when the music ends, the music box flips the record and plays another, the tune aids her jittery brain and gets her back to the talk at hand. except she doesn't have too much to say regarding the subject. she had no idea ragna had been searching for those terminals again. but why? and what's with the vegetarian take, too?

it's funny how jinx sits here silently while she eats, exchanging glances between the two boys. it's almost reminiscent of when she was at the dinner table with silco and sevika, or even with vi, vander, and the rest as young powder. not having much to say (for now) but still very enthralled nevertheless.]

[rebellions]

[ Ragna nods his head in confirmation, followed by another shrug of his shoulders to prevent them from having any hope he might have made while visiting the other town. ]

Yeah, when most people went. But I don't think the location's the issue... they're probably still around, we just can't perceive them.

[ He glances at Jinx again, his expression growing oddly wistful, if only for a split second. At the end of the day, he wouldn't particularly care what happens to this world... if it wasn't for her. If he wants to make this place a stable home where she can live with her family unbothered by all the sentencing crap, the fundamental rules of the world itself must be rewritten. Not his first time doing that, but it doesn't make it any easier. ]

Too bad that one Observer vanished already. He might've helped with that.

[ A shame it didn't occur to him to ask that of the guy the one time they've met. Ragna clicks his tongue, then shakes his head, moving on to Silco's other question. ]

Don't worry, I haven't suddenly developed a conscience or some shit. It's not for me.

[conflictresolution]

[Silco's gaze shifted from focusing on Ragna over to settling on Jinx. She was being unusually quiet for a dinner that she had arranged in the first place, regardless of the rhythmic noise she had decided to play as background ambiance. He watched her, noting her glances and his curiosity grew.]

Are you quiet while you wait for a review of the food? Or is there something on your mind, Jinx?

[He shrugged his shoulders at the idea of the observer. It seemed that few stayed more than a month or two. It made him think paranoia; this place was distracting them with the new ones while the long term chosen were also pulled away. This place was crumbling and they needed control of it now. Ugh and he was stuck at dinner when he could be writing more plans up.

He paused in eating to stare at Ragna, corner of his lip tugging.]

Of course not. Developing would require effort, and we all know your willingness to do so is limited.

[opheliac]

[silco confronting her gives her a small jolt, and she quickly gulps whatever part of the sandwich down her throat while granting him a sheepish grin.]

Oh, no!!

[she combs a lock of hair behind her ear, still adjusting to the lack of her twin braids, and her cheeks blossom into a crimson glow that she, unfortunately, can't bury due to her chalk-white complexion.]

I just... — uh. Got swallowed up by the conversation.

[jinx reaches for her wine glass for the first time, now internally grateful there's an alcoholic waiting for her after all.]

This is... nice. That's all. And uh, maybe we can have more of this tomorrow! After...we touch base with. Stuff.

[rebellions]

[ He is this close to sticking his tongue out in response to Silco, but no. He's an adult. He can act like one.

Or so he tells himself as he leans back in his chair, his lips pursed in a pout. ]

Excuuuuse me for not spending my every waking hour working. Ever thought you might be just built different from everyone else?

[ So much for that maturity. Ragna grabs his own glass as well, raising his eyebrow at Jinx. He's aware how stressful it must be, seeing her father clearly affected by... something, but still, it's unusual to see her so flustered. He figures inserting some of his trademark bad humor can't make things any worse. ]

Dunno, old man over here might keel over if you force him to eat twice in the same week.

[conflictresolution]

[His right eye fixed on his daughter for a long almost hard stare, and he had to make an internal effort to silence the twist of paranoia. Her answer was jittery and uneasy, which was not like her when they were together. It would be easy to accuse Ragna for the disruption, but he would consider that in near future if her mannerisms remained so flighty.]

Yes, no doubt it was riveting topics of conversation to follow.

[His gaze turned on Ragna, and he seemed like he was considering the comment for a fraction of a second before a sneer appeared on his lips. Was this about to lead to a lecture? Maybe. Did anyone want that? Probably just Silco.]

I am built no different than anyone else. I simply have the motivation to see my world advance and see my enemies pay for their transgressions for as long I am breathing. And that remains true to this day. Perhaps you should consider deeper motivation in your life.

[He waved off the threat of him having to eat twice in one week. He was perfectly fine with his current eating schedule, which hadn't changed since his motivation had fast-tracked.]

I see sarcasm runs strongly in this family.

[opheliac]

Now boys... no fighting at dinner. — That's why I got rid of the knives.

[she says teasingly before taking a swig of her drink. maybe some wine will help loosen her tongue and melt away her nerves. and it's strange how she feels the booze is already working its magic after she sets the glass down again. or maybe it's just her imagination tricking her to believing that it is.]

Guess I am a little fizzled out. [bomb pun.] I just wanna make sure everyone at this table is having a good time. And... I'm doing a good job at taking care of you two.