UN: JINX | TEXT

[jinxs]

"for those who bring the most entertainment"

on a scale 0-1000000 how entertaining are you

you think you'll survive? let's place some bets.

Comments

[shoplifter]

Do you know how to pinky swear?

It's how I've been promising lately. And it works on Axel.

[It's super effective.

As she speaks, she holds out her pinky finger.]

[jinxs]

Which pinky? Blue or pink?

(she holds out both of her pinkies, different colored nails.)

[shoplifter]

[On careful consideration... She does not want to insult either color.

So she holds up both of her pinkies. Two for one!]

[jinxs]

Trying to win my heart? Great choice, kiddo.

(of course, they are the best colors, excuse her. she'll even get down to her level again, sitting on the floor so they can talk more comfortably.

it's not like jinx's height of 5'3 makes that very difficult, but you know. it's for the kid. she'll move their hands up and down once pinkies interlock, as to seal the promise.)

cw: idk man footknives

[shoplifter]

[She reaches out, locks her fingers around Jinx's. The deadly serious swear has been completed, and is punishable by — well, something. Probably not death. But Laura would be cross with her, if she ratted out her ace up her sleeve.

As Jinx begins to sit down on the floor, Laura pulls off her shoe and sock; these shoes don't have holes in them like her other ones, so she figures she should probably keep them in one piece longer.]

They're here —

[She lifts her foot up, flexes her ankle, and bam.

A long metal claw is suddenly jutting out between her big and second toe, like it's nothing at all to do.]

Secret claws.

[jinxs]

(this kid is definitely something else. she doesn't need jinx to protect her, she has shown her as much, but these? these are awesome in their own right, and the oddity of having them on her foot of all places makes her clap in joy.

this is so fucking weird. she loves it, and she taps the dull surface as if she was inspecting it.)

Kid, you're incredible. You can stab three times! That's talent.

[shoplifter]

[Laura is always glad when someone isn't immediately discomforted by her claws. They've got a dark history behind them, it was true — but they were still a part of her, made her who she was. She would like to think it was for better than for worse, but... that's still something she's working on.

As the claw returns back into her foot:]

It makes keeping shoes very difficult, though. I always have to get more.

So I try not to use them as much.

[Try being the keyword.]

[jinxs]

Got an idea. What if we make you some special shoes? Make it super cool, with tons of spikes, and a button to open and close when you want?

(She has made crazier things. A shoe that mechanic shouldn't take that much work.

... But also, now there's more blood to clean off this kid.)

[shoplifter]

... I like big boots. With straps and buckles.

[She is already apparently 100% sold into this idea.]

I want them to hurt if I have to kick people in the knee.

[CRUCIAL FEATURE.]

[jinxs]

You and me both, kiddo.

(Her boots are pretty cool, she could say so herself. Sounds like no big deal, so she's just adding that to the list of things to do.

ASIDE FORM FINALLY TAKING THIS KID OUT OF HER TRAIN. One hand opens the door, her head gestures out.)

Why do you think I got that metal plate on mine? Definitely for that.

[shoplifter]

[Laura contentedly follows.]

Good. It's important to be prepared.

[For kicking people, that is. Her nose twitches, as she looks around in interest.]

You and your friends all live down here? It's a good place to hide out.

[jinxs]

Do you think if I put you on my shoulders we become one unstoppable force? Super-speed, super strong claws, impeccable shooting aim! Ah, I don't think the world is ready for the two of us.

(The bathroom isn't too far from her train, so that's where she leads them. She's old enough to know what to do, so Jinx will just sit on the counter as she waits.)

Hah, friends? I don't got many of those around. Nope, just a mean lady and dear old Father.

[shoplifter]

I think so. I think we can win any fight.

[THE CONFIDENCE. She did not hesitate.

But another important piece of information is put out there, as she steps into the bathroom and starts to rinse the tacky blood from between her fingers.]

Your father is here?

[jinxs]

Atta girl. Same thought, great minds? They think alike!

(THE EGO...

She's a little busy as she lets Laura do her thing, mostly by checking the braids, seeing if they are still in one piece.)

Two out of three dads, yep. One you can definitely meet, the other one, well. I think maybe we don't tell him about you. He'll get a bit jealous I have such a cool friend.

[shoplifter]

[Whoa.]

... I did not know you could have three. I just had one.

[Trying to imagine the logistics of it and failing, over here. As she wipes her hands off on her shirt, she turns with a furrowed brow, looking mildly concerned.]

Dads shouldn't be jealous.

[jinxs]

(There is no sugarcoating things for kids for her, and considering this kid, probably she shouldn't either.

So, it's with a sigh she continues.)

Well. I have one... Biological dad, but that one is dead. Then, I had another dad... Who was kind of dead, so I got adopted again. So, three dads.

(But oof, that comment? Whether Jinx is a parent is debatable, but she is taking care of a child, and her thought lately is the thought of messing up. So, it pains her to admit, but...)

Dads and... Ugh, moms, they're kinda like us, their kids, you know, kid? So, they get scared, they get jealous, they get mad, and sad, and happy, and all the good stuff. So, yeah.

[shoplifter]

[She supposes that's true. Logan had certainly shown every color of the rainbow when it came to negative feelings. But then, she'd never say that her father was a good one; he just did the best he could.]

But they should still be fair.

If they're not, that's when you hit them in the nose.

[Foolproof.]

[jinxs]

Meh. One I can't reach his nose, the other one would die. Old, thin, wrinkly, like a tree in the desert, except, well, not a deeeeesert, more like-- hah, what am I saying, there aren't trees where we are from. Well, it is what it is, kiddo.

(Sorry, Laura, for the ROLLERCOASTER.)

But, well. Are you always fair? I'm definitely not fair.

[shoplifter]

[Sounds like you just need to get more creative, Jinx. Laura punched her tall, old dad in the nose easily. 😁😁😁

But hmm. She has to really think about that.]

... I don't know. I've never thought about if I am fair or not.

[jinxs]

Sometimes, things just are and aren't. Sometimes, you won't even know you weren't until way later. Cut dads some sort of slack, okay? And that comes from me.

(Who MURDERED some of them.)

That's like, very, very big brained advice! Maybe I'm getting actually good at this.

[shoplifter]

[She blows out a breath.]

... I had to already cut my dad a lot of slack. He wasn't very good at being one.

[But then, with some reluctance:]

But he didn't know he was a father until I showed up a week before I came here... so maybe he should have a little more slack.

[jinxs]

So you were this grown. Yep, had no idea what he was doing, kid.

(She had been a choice, for both Vander and Silco. Not that Silco is father of the year, but he tried to be. He did what he knew to do, and he did what he could with what he had.

She has no idea what she is doing, too.)

Ugh, this is a bummer. Let's go do something fun.

[shoplifter]

[Oh...! Her face brightens, slight but immediate, with interest.]

What kind of fun?

[She has only just gotten used to the idea of the word, but the concept of fun has certainly not let her down yet.]

[jinxs]

That's gonna depend on you. I can teach you how to shoot a gun, or we can do our nails, or just walk around until something catches our eye. How does that feel?

(It starts off strong and gets normal as it goes...)

[shoplifter]

[Well.......

A satisfied nod.]

It's good to not be alone. How do you... 'do nails'?