expiationlogs | CLOSED; DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS

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CLOSED; DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS

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?]

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[Silco was sequestered in his office, which was typical of any day but especially in the last few weeks. His public appearances were minimal at best, and he had a wide assortment of excuses and important business to keep him from normal activities. It was not that he was purposefully neglecting, but he was obsessed with the need to control this city. There were plans to be made, reviewed, changed, scraped and redrawn. It had become his every waking moment that he hadn't noticed even whole days passing him by.

That was until Jinx had pointed out that she hadn't seen him. That was unusual, and yet it did not bother him as much as it should. After all, he was doing this for her, for them, and it would be glorious when he could finally keep this place under his thumb and build a world that suited himself and Jinx. They could bring and remove whomever they wished, forced this city to provide whatever they wanted and never punish Jinx again. It was only right.

He was aware of Jinx moving around in the bar, given how quiet it would be otherwise as the shortages allowed him the excuse to sequester himself under the guise of "figuring things out". He was not perturbed by his daughter being around, finding it a comfort as he scribbled more notes about key points in the city that would need to be controlled. If anything, her presence focused him further.

Yet, his head lifted at the familiar tune of the past, his pen stopping. His expression soured and eye narrowed, and he rose from his desk. There was a reason he kept it in his safe well away from the jukebox normally. Of course, Jinx had listened to that song, and because it was her, he was not furious. No, she deserved anything that made her happy.

Silco appeared at the top landing, peering down in the bar proper to watch her dance. Just like her mother. He hummed and moved his way around to the stairs to head down to the main area. His expression was lightened as he saw her, and his scarring was in plain sight, mottled skin covering the entire left side of his face and down his neck and even peaking out from the cuff of his sleeve.]

Jinx, it's been some time since you've danced. Such a pleasure.

Then you should come dance with me.

[she suggests as she continues to dance to the melody with her back turned to him. but it's when she pivots to face her father that her cheerful smile slowly disintegrates into a worried frown. her eyes large with shock, and her heart jerks abruptly in attention.

is her mind playing tricks on her again, or is it the lighting of the pub that's making silco appear... different? it's hard for her to distinguish, and she blinks rapidly in hope in doing so will clear her vision.]

Silco? Are... [ the question gets lodged in her throat, so she tries again.] — What happened to you?

Not to this tune. Likely not ever.

[Perhaps a long time ago he would have entertained such action, but the want or will to do so had died with the weak man in the Pilt. No, he was best refined and this song in particular was trying to dredge up old memories of days when things had seemed more of a flight of fancy. The struggles of old made him who he was now; he refused to forget but neither did he wish to partake.

He regarded her frown, and he raised his right eyebrow as if to question why she reacted in such a way. Everything was fine. He approached, closing the distance between them, bringing the expansion of his scarring into sharper focus so there was no doubt. His glowing blue eye focused on her.]

I've been freed of the previous constraints of long-term planning. I've began to play my moves more aggressively, and we shall see how this place responds. I will deliver it for us, Jinx, just like I promised.

[his words almost flow from one ear and out the other as she fixates on what used to be his bad eye. the way it glints back at her makes her skin crawl, like despite it possibly being a good thing, it feels so unnatural, so out of place. her mind begins to swim as she paddles through the river of her memories. just when exactly did they stop seeing each other? something must have happened right after they saw each other last.]

But... your eye. Your face...

[worry continues to bubble at the pit of her stomach, and she lifts a slow hand to reach out to the side of his cheek. she's not sure if he'll let her touch him, or something dangerous might happen if she does. but jinx doesn't care if whatever is going on transfers to her instead. because what if he is hurting, but putting on a brave face?]

[He hummed as if her words were paltry concern, nothing to be bothered about. He felt fine, no more pain than he usually suffered in a day.]

I'm fine. The scars of old are simply that and strengthen my conviction.

[When her hand rose, he uncharacteristically leaned into her touch. He closed his right eye and a sigh left his nose as if he were savouring the contact between them. It had been some time since anyone had touched him after all, albeit by his own choice since undergoing this flurry of plotting and planning.

No, perhaps even more uncharacteristic of him, he lifted a hand to cup the back of her own, trying to slip his fingers between her own. His daughter. Light of his life. His killer. His world.]

You worry too much. It's our absence affecting you.

[this leaves her beside herself and highly conflicted. his appearance doesn't match his behavior, and yet, having Silco be so affectionate towards her like this is... abnormally lovely. jinx lets their hands touch and entwine; her pinks shift and examines every little dimple, wrinkle, and mark on his face, jawline, and neck. maybe once ragna gets here, he can help clear the fog and pinpoint what exactly is wrong with this equation.]

After dinner, let's say we get you to a doc, huh? Just... just to be on the safe side.

[she forces out a little chuckle to guide the mood back to its carefree atmosphere.]

— You are becoming an old-timer. Gotta keep those bones working, and I've heard grown-ups get all neat-o treatments.

[As soon as their fingers twined, he leaned in to rest his forehead against hers briefly, an act that he had done many times in the past. He cared little for her examination, assuming it was nothing more than their time apart while he had been occupied with fast-tracking his projects towards reality.]

There is no need for that. Besides, the doctor has return to her world. My health hasn't changed.

[He was either blind or didn't care about the expansion of his fetid twisted scarring. Instead, the corner of his lip twitched at her chuckle, yet he did not move out of her personal space. Not that he did when she was in it usually.]

Perfectly aged to contend with the flaws of this place. Besides, death has no hold over me any longer. We simply return.

[a muted yet crimson glow blossoms along her cheeks when their foreheads touch, but she settles into it almost in the blink of an eye. hearing the doctor is no longer in aldrip makes her heart sputter with mild anxiety. it seems the chosen are getting picked off pretty frequently and rapidly lately. jinx didn't care too much about it before; it had been people who she had little to no affiliation with. but...soon, the council will run out of those she cares very little about, and take those she does.

her stomach twists at the thought of it, and her appetite threatens to evaporate if she lingers on this subject for a second longer. so she squeezes her eyes shut, and focuses on something else instead.]

Coming back or not, I still don't want you to die. There's gotta be someone else besides her who has medical smarts. Just... think about it, okay? For me?

[ What an awkward position to be in. A family dinner? Sure, Jinx constantly insists that's what they are, and Ragna certainly thinks of her as his little sister figure, but at the same time... he feels like an intruder, being invited to participate in what should be the time between her and her father. And besides, would it even be alright for him to find himself a new family? Even if they're not here, it still feels like a betrayal of Jin and Saya, who would surely feel hurt at the idea of sharing their brother with anyone, especially after he more or less chose to abandon them. Then again, it's not like they have a brother anymore... or, to be more precise, they've never had an older brother to begin with.

Ragna shakes his head, forcing himself to push those thoughts aside as he approaches the Last Drop. Focus, he tells himself, remembering tonight isn't just about bonding; no, Jinx has asked him to come for a very specific reason. It seems like Silco has been acting oddly as of late, and, whether he likes it or not, it's his problem as well. He's noticed the old man has been a bit withdrawn lately, but he figured he was just plotting to take over the world or whatever it is business people do. But if it worries Jinx, then it's his responsibility to try and find out what's going on.

Once he arrives at the pub, he enters the building without hesitation, not bothering to wait until someone lets him in. He's even brought a bottle of wine (probably dumb, considering where they're having their little gathering), hoping this small contribution will make things go a little more smoothly, but as he walks in, he immediately realizes the air in the room is heavy with apprehension. Good lord, he hasn't even opened his mouth yet. ]

... Am I interrupting something?

[He knew their numbers were dwindling fast, and no one seemed concerned about it but him. They had to staunch the flow; he couldn't allow this place to force his daughter to leave him. He would do whatever was necessary to ensure that she was safe, here and had a future in this place where he could keep an eye on her.

Yet, he made a noise in his throat at her question, already discounting the request as unimportant to him.] I will consider it, but I assure you that I am in good health, Jinx.

[He pulled his forehead back from resting on his daughter's at the awkward interruption of Ragna coming on scene. He turned his head to regard the other man, his extensive scarring spanning the entire left side of his face and down his neck standing out plainly. He made no effort to disentangle his fingers from Jinx's even now.]

Nothing. Fashionably late, as usual. And what have you brought, hmmm? It better be a worthwhile vintage. [He hated wine. He made no secret of that, yet perhaps tonight he might entertain it.]

[well... as long as he considers it, at least, it's better than a flat-out "no.". she turns to look at Ragna over her shoulder, grinning widely that he was able to attend this event, and she gives father's hand a final squeeze before unthreading their fingers. ]

Cool, you're here...!!

[with a bounce to her step, she gestures the two of them to their table — already set with silverware, napkins, glassware, and their crabmeat sandwiches.]

All right, boys. It's dinner party time! Make yourselves comfy, and I'll set the mood with some music. Don't worry, nooooothing too wild. Just one of Jinx's all-time favorites.

[giggling, she prances back to the jukebox and busies herself for a moment or two to wheel through the records. what she plays is something maybe ragna wouldn't expect, but Silco would — and that is a classic waltz. of course, she reduces the volume enough so the three of them can have a conversation while the box sings for them.]

[ It only takes him one look to immediately understand the cause of Jinx's concern; with the left side of Silco's face practically rotting away, it's impossible not to notice something is awfully wrong with the man. Ragna does his utmost to remain dismissive of it, ignoring the shiver that runs down his spine. How could have he been so blind? He should've watched the old coot like a hawk instead of letting him bury himself in work in his office. Ah, but there will still be time to beat himself up over his past mistakes ─ for now, they'll need to figure out what's really going on and how to fix it.

The man shrugs, passing the bottle to Silco. It probably doesn't come as a surprise that he's not an expert on alcohol at this point, so the choice he made was hardly informed. ]

Fuck if I know. The lady at the store said it goes well with seafood.

[ And Jinx seems to like seafood, so he figured it's the best pick. What he didn't know about the girl's favorites, as it now turns out, was her taste in music. He raises his eyebrow, giving her a questioning look. This sounds like something he'd be hearing at Rachel's castle, not here of all the places. ]

Didn't know you were into that sorta thing, Smurfette.

[For once in his life, Silco did not make a fuss about having to endure a meal when he wasn't working. He took the bottle of wine from Ragna, ignoring the brief look from the other man and walked off to find some glasses. He uncapped the bottle, pulled out a cork remover and removed it from the bottle. He poured three glasses of the red liquid without bothering to ask if either of them wished to partake in it; he simply assumed that they would and not make a scene.

His gnashing hatred of wine was muted for now. He instead brought the three glasses over to the set table and took his seat after setting out the glasses in front of the plates. He twitched a little as the music began to play, but it was more of a natural response to noise than any adverse reaction to the song itself.

He eyed the pair from where he was seated.]

What? You don't believe this family can be cultured in its partaking of the arts?

[jinx doesn't notice the flinch silco gives when the music starts; her attention fixates on the jukebox and the dials, noticing one of them is looser than the rest. a future project for later, and she jots it down in her mental notebook. the girl pivots and swiftly paces her way to the table, using her shimmer ability just a touch to not dawdle.

the grin on her face spreads larger as the boys settle in more, and although normally she wouldn't participate in drinking (witnessing vi escalate to alcoholism kind of scared her straight), jinx figured having one glass would be all right. after all, this is a very special occasion.]

[taking a seat herself, she chuckles at her father's statement — not a malicious or mocking one, but one that's genuine and reserved for only a selective bunch. jinx slants forward and begins to serve them and herself, placing one sandwich on each of their plates, then securing any extra seasonings or sauces to be right in the middle so they can all reach.]

Bon appétit...!

[she says, probably another surprise for ragna (and perhaps silco too?) for speaking in a completely different language. if she was having dinner with vander, vi, ekko, and maybe even claggor and mylo instead, it wouldn't be as jarring. they had access to some libraries back home, and the group did enjoy reading during their downtime. well... mylo preferred to look at dirty magazines rather than literature, really. vi enjoyed adventure, and jinx always loved the way vander made those goofy voices during the dialogues.

although the elephant in the room with them is hard to ignore and suffocating, the bluenette still tries to keep things bright and light-hearted... for now. they'll approach the subject of silco's condition in due time.]

So! How's everyone's day been? [before she lets either of them answer, jinx decides to beat them to it.] — I'll go first!

[taking a bite of her sandwich, she continues while chewing.]

I lost an employee at my coffee place, but then I gained another. He agreed to work with me if he could have the drinks and whatever we bake for free.

[ 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.

[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?

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.]

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CLOSED; DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS

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