Jinx (
alwaysme) wrote in
diademlogs2025-06-08 11:01 pm
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
I was painting a picture [closed]
Who: Vi, Jack Kline, Jonathan Strange
Where: various
When: Throughout the month
What: TDM threads continued
Warnings: suicidal ideation, self-worth, and possible mental instability, marked on thread
And for a moment I thought you were here
But then again, it wasn't true, down
And all this time I have been lying
Oh, lying in secret to myself
I've been putting sorrow on the farthest place on my shelf
And I was running far away
Would I run off the world someday? ♫
Where: various
When: Throughout the month
What: TDM threads continued
Warnings: suicidal ideation, self-worth, and possible mental instability, marked on thread
And for a moment I thought you were here
But then again, it wasn't true, down
And all this time I have been lying
Oh, lying in secret to myself
I've been putting sorrow on the farthest place on my shelf
And I was running far away
Would I run off the world someday? ♫
Jack Kline
"Now you're just making stuff up." She briefly laughs it off. All their monsters were very real. Concrete. And, well, she's not really sure what Vander was, in the end. Changed. Changed, twice over.
"Monsters don't hurt people." Her voice drops lower, flat. Not so much bored as dismissive. "People hurt people."
She's also a monster. But she's just a person, too.
"Yeah, I guess," about her skills. "Could be fun to learn how things work here, in any case." Machinery is just a puzzle. Break it down, figure out how it works, build it back up but better. "If I need help moving stuff, I'll give you a call. You know, after I can afford a phone."
Jonathan Strange
I heard it's a long drive. Probably want to get there before nightfall, regardless of the weather, and since you've never seen something like this, I bet you drive slow. [No offense (lots of offense). Maybe she'll be surprised. Maybe she'll be cruising as fast as her little station wagon can go and this guy in his offshoot of a truck will just putter on by.]
Who knows what's on the roads here. Street gangs, maybe. [At least Jinx is pretty sure she doesn't have to worry about chem-barons coming for her head here.]
Vi (cw: suicidal ideation, self-worth, mental instability possible)
[The very moment Vi is out of view Jinx very slowly just slinks backwards through the water, no longer rising any higher as her emotions stabilize into a white numbing noise. It's a cool calmness that overtakes her.
Vi will come back. She didn't stop giving up in the end, that was their whole problem, wasn't it? That Vi wouldn't quit on Jinx when she very well should have, just another person Jinx was dragging down with her.
Vi will come back, maybe. But she shouldn't. Ha! Jinx wouldn't come back for herself, either. There's not a lot of good value going on here. Not very good sister material.
Vi --
Vi likely won't come back. Let me go. Can they stop doing this? It's too soon from the last time.
Jinx sinks down, splaying her arms in the water. She takes a deep breath and plunges in, lets herself drift into that familiar liquidy embrace. Just for a little bit. Just until--until she's had enough and then she'll resurface.]
no subject
I assume that by 'street gangs,' you mean brigands or highwaymen? If they have things like that when I am from, it only makes sense that they would continue here.
[ If you're going to rob someone, robbing them on the road makes sense. ]
no subject
"In my world, monsters definitely hurt people. But people also hurt people." Human on human crime still very much exists, and Jack himself has dealt with humans who hurt one another. "Not all monsters are bad just like all people aren't bad." Sometimes his fathers are a little more black and white than he is about monsters, but that's because they're not one, like he is.
"I saw they have older phones here. I think you can get one on loan. Everything is on loan here." His room at the motel is too, but since he plans on getting jobs, he'll be able to cover that pretty soon.
"I'm Jack." He offers his hand.
no subject
Silco would've loved that, probably.]
no subject
Jinx is just out for herself.
"I think I'll try to buy one. Have something to my name that they can't take away as easy." She grins toothily at him. "Purchased legally, before you worry, sunshine." She holds out her left hand, street lights glinting off the middle-finger prosthetic. She winks. "Jinx." Jack and Jinx; has a nice ring to it, she's gotta admit.
no subject
There was a highwayman before my time, a man named Dick Turpin—which if he was before my time, I loathe to think how old he must seem to you. I'm certain he was your regular run-of-the-mill ruffian. But he had something that your average ruffian lacked: good press. If you believe the ballads and the broadsides, he was an avenging figure who rode his horse two hundred miles in a day—though I think the ballads were quite cagey about how the horse felt about that excursion.
no subject
"It's nice to meet you, Jinx, even if you made me an accomplice." Jack obviously willingly let her lead him there though and it feels kind of exciting to do something not squeaky clean. It's the sort of lower level bad that doesn't make him feel like he's failed the universe. It's mischief more than evil. "If we get phones, do you think it would be okay if I texted you?"
no subject
After a few frantic minutes of searching empty hallways -- shouting in frustration at least twice, her voice echoing against all the walls that look exactly the same turn after turn -- she eventually finds a door that leads to the back of the building and some sort of box with some sort of panel and buttons just visible through the little glass square in the panel door.
Okay. This looks like something. The whole time she's been repeating her shorthand for the symbols in her head, so the moment she sees them reflected back at her on the buttons, Vi springs into action. She is undeterred by the panel being stuck, digging her fingernails into the tiny gap to wiggle and yank the latch free. Something black and sticky clings to her hands, and her chest squeezes with a sudden, nauseous wave of unease and disgust.
The symbols feel like they're screaming in her head. One after another, spinning through her thoughts between flashes of her sister's eyes gazing up at her beyond the glass, confused and lost.
Is it getting darker out here? In the corners of her vision, the shadows stretch. The back of her neck prickles, an animal instinct kicking in (run, run, run!) that she fights down her shaking fingers on the buttons.
Will something happen if the combination is right? Will she know that it worked? (What will happen if she does it wrong?)
A wave of dizziness makes her vision go black, and Vi lurches forward into the panel, breathing hard. It could be lingering effects of the concussion, or just the shock. The cause, to her in this moment, is irrelevant. She'll shake off the throbbing headache, the shadows (hallucinations?) that creep around the corners. All that matters is seeing her sister again, getting her out of that room.
There's a the faint, electronic beep. A light flashes.
Vi realizes her cheek is against the metal, most of her weight on the casing of the panel's outside. She lurches back, coughing, feeling as though she'd forgotten to breathe for far too long and suddenly unsure how much time has passed.
Unsteadily, she makes for the door again, shoving her weight into the push bar and only realizing when she's left a bloody handprint that her palm's been sliced open. This registers dimly. Another irrelevant inconvenience to be considered later.
Vi sprints back down the hall toward the flooding room. ]
no subject
Jinx doesn't notice at first, entranced with her abyss. It shouldn't be a comfort. It'll press in on her, soon. The fighting, desperate need to survive, to breathe, to break. She'd like to think she was getting better at this and it's likely something that she shouldn't be getting better at, but she has so few connections left to anyone that she thought mattered to her.
But no, the water is shifting upwards, not lowering. She's left floundering on the office floor as it fully gets sucked above and she shifts onto her side, coughing and sputtering and absolutely waterlogged. The shadows press in once it recedes, but she can't tell if it was from her time under or something more.
Her head's quiet though. For a few moments. When she looks back up, still swallowing down breaths of air, and only stares at her sister with a completely open expression. It isn't fear this time. It's just surprise.
She looks to the computers, no longer blinking about a quarantine, and grapples her way up from the slippery floor to get back to her feet, racing across the room and slamming into the door--
It's no longer locked.
--and wrenches it open to come face to face with her sister.]
no subject
She's real.
Vi throws herself forward, wordlessly wrapping both arms around her sister in a too-tight embrace. ]
no subject
But this is different than before. Jinx knows Vi has to be real because the quarantine didn't lift on its own--Jinx wouldn't have gotten out on her own.
Jinx doesn't want this for Vi but she can't help but be happy to see her sister--she can never seem to quash that desire.
Her arms move of their own volition, snaked around her sister's back, tight and reassuring. Real. Real, for both of them.] How are you here? What happened to you? [More than likely the same was as Jinx, but then, was she hurt?]
no subject
If she registers the questions, she doesn't seem to care to answer them right now. Her voice is ragged, tears brimming bright. ]
I thought I'd lost you...
[ Vi is so focused on her sister's face, she doesn't notice the way the water swirls upward, the way the shadows encroach. Lights begin to turn off far down the hallway, ominously flickering to bring the darkness closer and closer with each. ]
no subject
"Sure, pal. I'll find you and hook you up with my number when I get one."
sorry the heat murdered me
All big talk and deflection; she knew what she was. She just wanted to save one kid and she couldn't even do that--guess her and Vi had that much in common.]
no subject
Jinx doesn't know what happened after. The explosion rattled her, hard, when she woke up here with that medical bot. Rattled fully through her.
Vi made it, right? There wasn't anything else? Any last minute surprises? If Vi didn't make it then everything she did was for nothing--] Did you--did you make it out?
man I do not blame you, it's stay inside and don't do things time
[ Strange shrugs a little, bright smile on his face, as he muses, ]
I suppose that's why it's best we don't learn about what happens in our futures. I was more than ready to step in and correct people about rumors involving me in my lifetime, I would be even more irritating stepping in and bothering them decades in the future.
no subject
At his next words though, whatever solemn expression that seemed to be haunting her wipes away and she laughs, bright, latched in on there being rumors surrounding him from his current lifetime.] Wait, are you famous where you're from?
no subject
There are only a few magicians in my time. As one of them, it's only natural that people would gossip. But I'm certainly not a celebrity in the sense of actors or actresses. I suppose...good God, I suppose I'm closest to a politician.
[ which.....ew ]
we can wrap here!
"I should go back inside, but come find me any time you want. I'm also at the bowling alley, it has things like pool and a bar there, if that interests you." He went there to see if Dean was there, and has camped out with a job in case he shows up. He gives her another wave and then goes back inside.
no subject
[ It takes her a second to understand what Jinx means, to parse the words when all she can think is here, alive, not dead, here, with me. How long has it been for her? Since she...
Fell.
Before Vi can answer or ask any questions of her own, the lights shut off in the hallway just behind Jinx, plunging everything beyond into darkness. The light above them flickers.
A sudden, urgent sense of dread grips Vi, finally shoving through her relief and interrupting their moment. They can't do this here. ]
W-we have to go.
Come on. [ Grabbing Jinx's wrist, Vi tugs her toward the exit, just as the lights above them die. ]
no subject
Not that Jinx would ever call herself, what? A mage? A magician? Hex-something-or-other?
No, she was just a survivalist. Opportunist.
She'll circle back to the politician part, don't you worry.]
no subject
[ There's a bit of a wry tone in Strange's voice as he talks. It's obvious the comparison to (what he views as) a charlatan amuses him more than anything else. He gives Jinx a little nod before lightly pointing out, ]
Though the only fancy card trick I know is being a dab hand at whist.
no subject
All of it, all of it. Well, the voices may be her own.
Jinx may not recognize the sources of any of it but that doesn't mean she's familiar with the beast of it all. But Vi isn't. She stumbles once, but takes easily after to following with Vi.] My car [driving cars, flying rockets, it's all the same] it's in the lot across the street from this place! [She assumes Vi must have her own ride if she got out of here but a press towards any means of escape at the moment seems Important.]
no subject
Just another tick into What Is This Guy About which thankfully (or not) has less mental ticks in it than the This Guy's Interesting.] Okay, not in the same line as your Turpin pal. What does a 'magician of your ilk' do then? Can't just have a fancy name and nothing to show for it. I mean, maybe you can make your own tent for all I know.
no subject
[ He looks at Jinx for a moment, looking her over, before deciding. Strange closes his eyes and murmurs something under his breath. A moment later, a gust of wind kicks up. The gust isn't overwhelming, but feels small and targeted. The wind pushes Jinx's bangs back and blows her braid to the side a bit, but that's all. None of the surroundings near her are disturbed—in fact, Strange's hair isn't tousled at all.
The breeze also smells odd. The scent of dried leaves, an autumn breeze, the morning dew on the grass comes with it. It's remarkably natural compared to the scrapyard surrounding them. ]
no subject
This... gentle application isn't something she'd expect. She's only ever seen manufactured magick. Despite whatever Piltover and their City of Progress wanted to achieve, they still made weapons, just like Jinx. It always comes down to weaponry. Even without her influence, she's certain: they'd always make weapons, eventually.
None of them were going to help the Undercity, not even with the fabrication of the Machine Herald.
She breathes deep. Once, twice. Reaches up to flick at hand through the strand of hair previously shifted and looks calmer for it.] Fun party trick. I think you nailed something else on the head though--reshaping roads? That's a way to make some cash. A nice honest living--as much as a politician can get, anyway. [Said more tongue-in-cheek.]
no subject
I'm sure the nearest city must have a council or municipal government of sorts. I'm perfectly fine being the magical equivalent of a day laborer if the pay suits.
[ It's obvious the more they talk, the more Strange is coming around to this idea. ]
no subject
An animal panic yanks Vi forward, and her grip on her sister's wrist tightens to the point of being painful, but she can't -- she will not -- risk letting go (again).
She only grunts in response to the comment about the car, knowing her bike is somewhere around here too. But fuck it, she can find it once they're out of this horrid building (or not, and it won't matter as long as Jinx is here).
Time seems to stretch too far, but in truth, it's probably less than a minute to make it out. Vi shoves open the door, leaving another bloody handprint in her wake, and they burst through into the open air.
She runs a little farther, stumbling as the weight of whatever dread filled that building lifts suddenly. When she looks back, the lights have all mysteriously popped back on, brighter than ever. As if beckoning.
Vi lets out a long, loud breath. She still hasn't let go of Jinx's wrist. ]
no subject
Mylo: she doesn't trust you] No, that's not what's happening! [Her spoken desperation is different than Vi's determination.
she knows what you are
It's swallowed up by the darkness around them and she turns her wrist in Vi's hold to clasp her back tightly.
But once they're out and the shadows recede like a tide she tries again to pull free for the second time, almost pleading.] Vi.
no subject
But if Jinx tries to step away, she will move closer again. She will reach out, trying to touch her face, her hair. ]
Are you okay?
no subject
There's no shadows here. No more chances that this isn't real. The pain throbbing in her wrist is proof enough.
Jinx looks rough. She's still dripping wet, hair matted down, old paint smears spreading and darkened in color.] I'm-- I'm okay. [Not spoken is how she obviously wouldn't have been if Vi hadn't shown up.] You... [She trails off, lost for words.]
no subject
I'm sorry. [ Vi whispers.
And hugs her again, tight but at the same time gentle, cradling her sister's head against her shoulder while Jinx's already soaked hair absorbs her tears. ]
no subject
She's trying not to let the tears affect her.] You don't have anything to be sorry about-- [She doesn't know what Vi could be apologizing for. What happened now, what happened before, everything, nothing.
She lays both her hands over each of Vi's arms, just a reassuring touch of I'm here, I'm real.] Vi, I'm fine. You're fine. [That last part sounds very uncertain.
Right? Please? Please tell her you're fine?]
no subject
She'd thought she'd lost her sister for good this time. She'd grieved. And at the same time, some small, awful part of her had been--
No, not relieved. But perhaps ready to face a new life. Ready to entertain the idea of moving on. At least, wanting to be ready to do that. She'd greeted those new days slowly, with a growing, tentative hope and with Caitlyn by her side. The thought of rebuilding.
And now, instead, they're here. What else is Vi supposed to say? What can she possibly do?
When she'd woken up here, Vi realized she had truly, finally lost everything.
That isn't the case anymore. ]
Y-yeah. I'm okay, Powder. We're both going to be okay.
[ Even if she still slips up sometimes. ]
no subject
She doesn't move away despite the temptation to put physical distance between herself and Emotion. Buries it down despite wondering if the Jinx on Vi's lips while she was trapped in that room was just a trick of her mind. What she wanted to hear.
It's-- Fine.
It doesn't matter.] We shouldn't stay here--it's better to get back to Panorama. These places are supposed to be unstable. [Then again she can distance herself with words just as easily.]
no subject
H-how... how long have you been here?
[ Jinx is right, of course. Vi forces herself to remember where they actually are. The building had been unstable enough on its own, and it's true the danger might not be over. She glances around, clocks the other vehicle. It doesn't suit her sister at all, but there's nothing else around. ]
After you fell--
What happened?
no subject
But then she found Vi--or rather Vi found her--so it can't all be a loss. And later when she's going through her stuff she'll find a bottle of antibiotics that she was there for that she didn't remember grabbing.
She makes a face at her station wagon. Yeah. It's not stellar. But she'll get it painted eventually when she has the materials and then she'll be in business.] After I fell I woke up in the medical tent at the Scrapyard. [She woke up screaming and thrashing, but Vi doesn't need to know that part.]
no subject
There's something else. In her heart, Vi knows the answer, but she has to ask. ]
And... Vander?
no subject
That wasn't Vander she doesn't say, though it's on the tip of her tongue.
No, they lost Vander in the commune. She has to believe that was true.] He wasn't with me. That doesn't mean he didn't come through. [If he did, maybe Viktor could put the mind he took back. Which would mean having to talk to the tin can. No thanks. But she would, for Vander.] He could turn up. [Jinx is not an optimist, but she'll give Vi this.]
no subject
No, she doesn't believe her. She wishes she did, but she doesn't.
Vi closes her eyes for just a moment, takes a deep breath. ]
...yeah. Maybe. [ She looks back up, and tries to smile. It comes up thin and wavering, her face all smudged with tears and dried blood. ]
In the meantime, at least we're together, right?
no subject
Even when Jinx had intended to leave her sister to think she was dead and move on for both their sake's.
She lightly punches Vi's side.] Rent's shit, y'know? It'd be easier between the two of us. [Which is the worst way to float the idea that they should live together, but there's a part of Jinx that is completely terrified Vi will reject the idea.
(Jinx'll eventually get jittery about sharing the space, but she'll figure a solution for that out when the time comes.) Right now she just needs to not leave Vi again. Needs to know Vi's safe in an Unknown that neither of them have a foothold in yet.
She can fix it this time, can't she?]
no subject
Something in the pit of her stomach loosens up. The tension in her shoulders eases, just a little.
Vi laughs. It's soft and breathy, but it's there, and it's real, and the look that crosses her eyes is equal parts relief and surprise.
She can't believe Jinx is actually asking her this. Vi won't waste this chance. ]
Absolutely. To be honest, I haven't really found a place... just been staying in a literal hole that's got a mattress shoved inside. Worst hotel I've ever seen.
We'll find somewhere a little bigger.
[ Are they really going to be... together? ]
no subject
They're not home. There's no Vander, no Silco, no Caitlyn. No Undercity, no Piltover.
There's a weird lanky cosmic horror and his human soft-spot but she's not going to talk about them. Besides, they're supposed to be leaving each other alone. 'Second chances' that they don't deserve or whatever.
This might just be their best chance yet to be together.
For once.] I hear that. The motel I've been in wasn't bad, I guess. I think they have some bigger spaces than what I had. Sure, the power does go out all the time. [And then there's the weird knocking when no one's at the door. And the occasional break-in.
But! Really! What place around here doesn't have that!] But I hear some of the units have a coffee maker. [Or. You know. A mini kitchenette. (She'd prefer the coffee maker.)
Her gaze drifts back towards the building they fled from, like it's trying to grab her attention.]
no subject
[ Together.
Her heart is still pounding. She's scared to look away from Jinx for too long, just in case she disappears and it was all a dream.
When Jinx looks away from her, Vi reaches out -- gently, this time -- to take her hand again. ]
Hey. Let's get out of here. I don't like this place.
[ Though she doesn't ask again, Vi is carefully looking her over to make sure there are no injuries, that she really is okay besides being a bit soggy. ]
My bike's around the other side. We'll drive back together.