come_sailaway | ★ cross my heart & hope to die; welcome to my darkside.

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★ cross my heart & hope to die; welcome to my darkside.

Who: jinx & YOU
When: next day after the party
Where: all and sundries, stellar (7AM-10AM), playback, sports deck, chatterbox(closed)
What: jinx woke up this morning with new memories and ~~hit super puberty~~ changed. so now she is dealing with her new self and her new abilities.
Warnings: please read previous game tags under "arcane:jinx" to read her warnings.

note; please read this if you have not already before replying to this post

i. all and sundries // open.

(it was a bad dream, she told herself. the rushing thoughts of confronting silco on why he lied about her sister being alive, looming over the piltover bridge to watch from above as caitlyn, vi, and ekko with the hextech in their possession. the image of vi turning their back but just as quickly return to them when she said she was coming back to her.

but the fight with ekko. he told her when he arrived here the whole thing between them on the bridge happened and she assumed he was just being weird since she had no memory of it. but now, she can suddenly recall it. she vaguely remembers being carried somewhere and lying on that table and feeling life leaving her body.

and then the procedure happened. she was so out of it but something was painfully happening to her then. needles poking her in every spot of her; shimmer being injected rushing through her veins like rushing fire. she can still feel it even now how that felt and even begged and cried for all of it to stop. jinx woke up screaming and with her body dripped in her own sweat. for a while, she was very disorientated. one minute she was home and now in the cabin -- which is strange because she remembered also sleeping in the rafters. )

(so in an sense, she truly thought it was a bad dream until she made her way to the bathroom -- her eyes then glued at her reflection as the pink glow stare back at her. shimmer. the doctor injected her with shimmer. ah, now she understands.)

————

( moving feels strange. actually, her entire body feels so strange. it's as if she suddenly became stronger than she was and every so often, her movements become inhuman and dashes a little forward without meaning to. how does one walk normally? does she need to think slower for her to move slower? this is going to take some time to get use to. but for now, there are two things that need to be done. one, new clothing. since she is back here on this ship, that would mean the crewmates will notice something different about her. and quite frankly, she isn't really in the mood to address this issue right now -- especially when she is still trying to adapt and get her bearings.

so inside, she ducks in, picks out a new clothing, "pays" for it, then goes to the nearest bathroom to change. it may seem strange to suddenly to wear this but she wishes to be discreet as possible if she can pull it off. next on the list is her gift. she had a message from friday that another package is here somewhere so she searches around for it. behind the counter, there's an enormous gift that's addressed to her. jinx drags out the present and once she unwraps, her eyes immediately widens at the sight of her weapon, fishbones.

she cracks a huge smile as she gives the weapon the most biggest hug in her life! and by the looks of him, he appears to be all fixed up, too.)

Fishbones...!! — Oh, I've missed you so much.

(so here is a strange thing. one would expect there would be silence after she exclaims that but instead, there's a voice. a dopey voice. a voice that she is making for her weapon.)

❝ Aww! I missed you, too! I've been so lonely without you! ❞

(...whelp. if jinx couldn't get any stranger.)

ii. stellar (7AM-10AM) // open.

( after getting her clothing and reuniting with her one true love, jinx decides to make her way to stellar for some breakfast. she can't tell if she is normally hungry or abnormally hungry now that she has shimmer roaming through her veins but she supposes she'll find out soon enough. jinx doesn't necessarily stay at the cabin anymore but she will still sit at her assigned spot once she grabs what she needs to grab.

her plate is rather packed with various things -- now coming to terms that maybe she did return home for a brief time, the habit of scavenging for food came back, too. once she and fishbones are both settled at the table, jinx hunches over and starts to eat rather franticly.)

ii. playback // open.

(she hadn't been in this place for a while so she decides why not make another visit? besides, it is one of the tour spots she is showing fishbones around and she figures this would definitely be his favorite spot. carefully, she places him on a nice bean bag chair as she makes her way to one of the arcades. of course, the one about shooting because why wouldn't she be drawn to that? it's the same game she played when she first got here and it looks as though her high score is still on top. nice.

... she can probably beat her own score now, most definitely. with her finger pressing on the button, she grabs the plastic gun with the other and begins to work her magic.)

iii. sports deck // open.

( just how fast can she really go? that's a question that's been bubbling through her mind all day and she wonders if she can even give herself a test drive without being spotted? there's so many people here being everywhere, would she even get a chance? jinx finds herself up at the sports deck with fishbones, of course still tagging along.

she scoops the area first, though, of course. it doesn't appear anyone is near by yet so maybe this could be her only chance. once more placing her rocket launcher down, jinx takes a deep breath and does a few leg and arm stretches. right, okay, here goes. she takes a running start and she dashes through to make a lap around the deck -- the pink glow of her eyes streak along with her body almost looking like a blur as she runs along. jinx makes at least three laps before coming to a spot, slightly out of breath but also scoffing off a laugh. wow! even she can admit that was pretty fucking cool.)

vi. chatterbox // closed to venti.

(well, what an eventful day or maybe not. usually the day she had today would be considered boring but with her new discovery, it's been a little more on the interesting side. but now the day is slowly coming to an end and she decides to wander in chatterbox because well, who would even be in this room this late? besides, she still has some thinking to do and a lot of it. jinx takes a random seat in the audience with fishbones by her feet. her hands are shoved in her hoodie pockets and slouching with a foot slightly swaying back and forth. it's quiet in here which is a blessing and her voices are quiet too today -- thank goodness for that.

her thoughts are going through various things. the events at home for starters and then the party with the captain, too. his offer still lingers with her and maybe even more so now. the only way she can get rid of her curse is for him to feed off of it entirely but if he does that, that means she dies. hm. so appears only death can end all of this once and for all and...is it horrible for her to maybe consider it? it's not as if her life home nor here are going swimmingly anyway. at least she thinks so.)

(if it weren't for the karaoke machine rolling onto the stage, jinx wouldn't had realized it was nine o' clock. she quirks an eyebrow over the machine as it stands there idly in silence. she exchanges her look between it and fishbones before deciding to get up from her seat -- making her way to the stage. jinx resumes to loom over at the box and then finds herself grabbing onto the mic. but she doesn't go through it's playlist, however. there isn't anything on there she wants to sing with but still she flicks the microphone on.

she is still for a moment before taking a set on the floor; back leaning against the box while curling its cord along her index -- in thought. there is a song she remembers, though. she remembers the times she wandered in the last drop, there would be a group huddle together singing and rehearsing their lyrics. she always tried to not pay attention as she sat by the bar but she was secretly listening. and then in time, she was able to pick up the words of their song. exhaling a small breath, she starts to sing into the mic of their song. no music attached, just her voice alone echoing:)

♪I wake up to the sounds of the silence that allows
For my mind to run around with my ear up to the ground
I'm searching to behold the stories that are told
When my back is to the world that was smiling when I turned♪

(the way she is singing it isn't their actual pace of it -- in fact, it's slower and more sorrowful. and the more resumes with the song, jinx curls more into herself and tugging the hood even further over herself. it's a good thing no one here, though. at least no one can see her wanting to break down in tears as these words hit her a little too close for comfort.)

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"Why, Miss Jinx!"

He almost hadn't recognised her, tucked up in that hood, which is saying a lot, because generally Jinx is a hard person to miss, what with all the blue hair. He pauses, coffee in one hand, plate of toast, eggs, and sausage in the other. The way she eats is almost... desperate.

"Goodness, but you seem to have quite the appetite this morning."

(ah, she should had known better to think she can go on about her days unnoticed. jinx pauses for a moment to make sure the hood is secure before ducking her head further.)

Heh, yeah well... — I've been workin' out late at night and I try not to eat so late.

(will he buy that? watson is a pretty smart guy, after all. she won't be too surprised if he can call out her bluff.)

Well, that's reasonable. He can't approve of irregular meals, just on general principle, but as long as she's eating? Eating is good. The active hiding, though, may be more suspicious. If he hangs around, well, that's why.

"Working up an appetite, then? It's... good to stay busy, at least." Watson takes a sip of his coffee. "How are you managing today?" He sits down across from her, casually as he can. He really just wants to reassure himself that she's all right. "I haven't seen much of you since, well, the island."

(oh, so. he is sitting across from her now. but she can do this, she thinks. as long as she stays calm and keep her head down, this will go by smoothly. so jinx continues to do just that -- reaching over for her drink which thank goodness has a straw. a casual sip before scooting it a little more to the side.)

Uh, pretty good! Just y'know, tryin' to stay low. A lotta stuff's been happenin'. So just... processing.

(what an understatement of the year.)

"That's true," he sighs. "A lot has been happening."

Watson picks up his toast and takes a bite. He's still expecting Repercussions. Of some sort. He doesn't know what. "I think I might keep a low profile myself, for a few days."

(jinx is silent but only briefly as she takes another bite of her meal -- her leg bouncing a bit underneath their table while trying to remain content. it's a bit difficult when her mind is swirling with so many thoughts over different things. since she is on the ship, maybe it'd be better for head to... forget what's happening at zaun for now and focus on the present.

the present problem(s)? trying to adapt with herself while walking along with everyone else like things hadn't change. how long will she be able to keep it up though? the pure thought of people crowded with wonders and questions just makes her feel so uncomfortable in her skin somehow. but with the crewmates all fixated with their own problems and struggles here, maybe there would be a chance it won't happen that way.)

You don't have anyone out to getcha, do you?

"Not that I know of. Not yet."

It's true that the party probably does have him a little preoccupied. And hey, probably no one's got the time or energy to be violently homophobic in his direction, given everything else that's going on.

"But the day is young, and I still haven't heard all of the fallout from last night's... event. Yourself?"

(right, last night. for him it might had been last night and that is most likely true. but for jinx, she can't help but to feel as if that party was forever ago. having to go to bed, experience things that happened at home, and then woke up here really messes with her thoughts.

but for now, she'll play along and smirks. he might not be able to see it with her head low, but he can tell definitely by the tone.)

Heh, I mean who doesn't want a piece of me? But seriously, I'll let ya know if I got 'em.

Watson pauses. Something is... subtly wrong in some way. He can't quite put his finger on it. He wants to look at her properly, judge the dilation of her pupils, the pallor or flush of her skin.

"Are you all right? He leaves off his breakfast, leaning closer. "Miss Jinx, would you look at me, please?"

(SHIT! jinx clears her dry throat while keeping her head; panicking looking at her meal.)

Ahem. — Huh, why? I'm eatin'. Maybe when I'm done?

(that...has to be the most stupidest thing she ever said but she can't think of anything else! but to play the part of that statement, she continues onto shoving the fork in her mouth -- chewing her meal.)

Shockingly, Watson has personal experience with detecting the influence of drugs in his friends.

"Humour me," he says, mildly. "I'd hate it if you passed out over your breakfast, so if you'll just reassure me that's not the case, we'll consider the matter closed."

... That's stupid. Why would I pass out when I'm wide awake?

"That is, in fact, a thing do when they are in altered states, from exhaustion or illness or other things. Now, the longer you prevaricate about this, the more suspicious I am."

He raises an eyebrow.

Yeesh...! — Whatever you say, Dad.

(if she could roll her eyes at this, she would. but jinx tries to pull a fast one on him by appearing as if she only lifting up her head to move a strand of hair out of her face. which she does do, however, she keeps her eyes closed before ducking her head right back down; back to eating.)

Watson would laugh if he weren't trying to be serious right now, both at being called 'dad' and at her utter obviousness.

"Jinx, please grant me as having at least the smallest degree of sense. I can tell, now, that you are actively hiding your eyes from me. You know that this is something that will give it away." He's genuinely concerned now that she's got into the narcotics in the infirmary, at this point. "Please, be honest with me."

(he isn't going to lay off, is he? watson can't see underneath the table but her left leg is jiggling in nerves. but he doesn't need to with doing it so hard, her body is going along with it.

jinx is quiet for a bit until finally she mutters out a "shit" in her breath. there's no way around it and watson had always been helpful to her. she told stede she would let him have a lookover but she didn't expect so soon.)

(sighing in defeat, she raises her head slowly to him -- peering up with her bright pink eyes; aglow faintly then seconds not.)

He's visibly startled, for a moment before he regains some degree of equilibrium. He can't really help it. Glowing pink eyes wasn't really covered in medical school.

"Do you know," Watson says, carefully, "I had half made up my mind that you had suddenly taken to recreational drug use. Miss Jinx, what the devil happened?"

(again, she sighs while taking off the hood of her sweater -- leaning back in her seat in a slouch with her fingernail lightly tapping on on the surface.)

I dunno. Want the long or short version?

"I have time for the long version."

Because yes, he's worried, Jinx, what the hell.

Oh, sheesh. Alright, where to start? — I was born and raised in a city called Zaun. Zaun is the undercity from another called Piltover. Piltover is where all fancy pansty people live and we are the toxic slugs. We get all the scraps, the air pollution, and food with mold on 'em.

They tend to act like we don't exist and we, of course, weren't allowed to step foot in their place. Aaaand whenever they felt like we were outta line, they'd call in the Enforcers. They march in, kick dirt at us, push us, treat us all sorts of ways.

(she takes a break to sip her drink. once done, she places it back down and resumes on.)

— My people wanted to fight back, y'know. 'Cuz it wasn't right for 'em to trust us that way. Buuuut our leader at the time didn't think we should. He wanted to keep the peace, I guess. Which is a load of crud, if ya ask me. Thhheen someone else decided to take over and they did. He started comin' up with a plan to try and get back on Piltover so we can have our own independency. SO! He started out with this thing called "Shimmer". Which is a drug that in small doses can heal ya from any injury buuuut with more, you're pretty much, y'know, strong and stuff.

(jinx begins to swing her leg a little underneath the table.)

And you're proobaabbbly wonderin' where does that leave me? WELL! — Turns out after the party with the Captain, he sent me back home? I remember going to sleep that night and woke up back in my city. I lived, some stuff happened, yadda yadda. But I kinda got into somethin' where I was...dying. My Da—The leader wanted to save me so... he brought me somewhere. And it turns out the only way to save me was to inject me with shimmer. A lot. Of it. So what you're seein' is the end results of that.

Edited 2022-05-25 03:41 (UTC)

He listens soberly. Extreme class divide is, unfortunately, too easy for him to imagine. That's the most believable part of her story.

He has a lot of questions. Where even does he start?

"This is the result of a drug? It's a miraculous drug indeed to pull you back from the brink of death. How long does this... effect... last?"

It's permanent as far as I know! This is the new me.

(in fact, she rolls up her sleeves to show off her deep purple veins all over her arms.)

— It's still a lil' weird, though. I'm tryin' to get use to looking at myself in the mirror.

Edited 2022-05-26 00:39 (UTC)

He frowns at those veins. That's... alarming. That looks extremely wrong.

"Then I suppose my other question is, if you returned and came back without any appreciable time passing, did you remember this place while you were home?"

Drugging soldiers to overtake the enemy doesn't sit well with him. Even if he's morally on their side.

This place didn't cross my mind at all. — Maybe I was too caught up with the problems there?

(surely that had to be it, right? things between zaun and piltover are extremely intense so why would she have the time to think about what was going on in this realm?)

"Perhaps."

And yet that seems... unlikely to him. No matter how strange your life is, surely you would be concerned about having disappeared to a haunted cruise ship for several months.

"How do you feel, though? After nearly dying, and... this?"

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opheliac - 2022-05-27 02:53 (UTC) - Expand

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★ cross my heart & hope to die; welcome to my darkside.

II: Stellar

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