003. 💥 (VIDEO) ⇁TABLET

[opheliac]

( the live recording starts simple enough. it begins with jinx propping up the device against something so she can be a little more hands-free. by the looks of her surroundings, it seems she is settling herself in at the SandW̴͚͆H̷͝ͅ1̵̩͛(̷̠̍H̷̭̽ ̷̦́H̸̯́ut for those who finds the establishment recognizable. but what seems odd about this whole thing is how eerily quiet inside this hut is. there are people, definitely, they can be seen in the background while jinx is sitting at the table -- however, no one is speaking. or well if they are, it's in low murmurs to each other that's hard to make out through the recording.

another strange thing is the locals in the background are staring right at the camera (and her), pausing in their own meals with hesitation and concern. and jinx is definitely taking notice of it too, in fact, she is using the camera as a mirror to look back at the people instead of peering over her shoulder.

and speaking of jinx, for those who bumped into her during the maze or the weekend before, her appearance seem to glow more than it did back then. there's color back in her pale skin (if that's possible), her pink eyes glistening more vibrantly, and visibly her attitude seems more on the perkier side. that's strange too, isn't it? well, whatever happened to her then is no longer an issue, it seems like. but the way the locals are glue to her is becoming an irritating thing, and anyone watching this recording can see it in her displeased face. somewhat coming into view, the waiter of this food place clears his throat to get jinx's attention. her eyes flicker to the man as he stumbles over his words: )

"U-Um, excuse me. How... long are you going to be here today?"

( it's almost right after he questioned her stay, he knew instantly it was probably the wrong thing to ask. the teen cocks her head steadily to one side, her gaze dart down to his feet then to the top of his head; sizing him up. but then, jinx smiles to the man -- flashing its rigidness with no friendliness attached. )

Aww, gee. I dunno...♪ ( she answers with a nonchalant shrug, her words smooth like honey but coated with poison. ) — Kinda just got here. I was thinking about sitting here and grabbing a bite to eat. 'Cause, y'know, I'm hungry.

( the worker stiffens at her answer, looking around for maybe someone to help back him up or to chime in on how to handle this delicate situation. and seeing no one is offering a hand, he chuckles uneasily. )

"Uh, yes!! Well... let us know when you're ready to order."

( for those who are still tuned in on the other side of this recording, they can see the enjoyment in jinx's face of how nervous and fearful this man is being around her. the grin on her widens more mischievously as she lazily props an elbow onto the table, cheek to the palm with one, and using her other hand to drum her fingernails on the surface. the teen mouths a, "Will do." at the worker, but right as he turns to leave -- she suddenly speaks up: )

Oh wait! — Actually before ya go, I gotta teeny tiny request.

( extremely frighten what that might be, the waiter turns on his heel to face jinx again with a weary smile. )

How about telling everyone else here that it's a bit rude to stare? ( a beat, her grin twisting menacingly. ) — It's how you lose your eyesight. ... The left eyes are my favorite.

( jinx gives the man a sinister wink to send an extra chill down his spine before he scurries off -- probably to head back to the kitchen, who knows. and when the teen does a quick glance back over her shoulder, everyone else in the hut peeks away swiftly to return back to their meals. humming cheerfully and then throwing her arms up to let out a long needed stretch, jinx finally throws her attention to the video recording she's making. she tosses her thumb over her shoulder as she asks, directing to the people: )

So what's eating them, huh? Is it just me or they're acting EXTRA freaky around here?

Comments

video;

[entreats]

[ Guess who's letting out the most exasperated sigh in the world?

Yes, of course it's Ange. She kind of figured someone would do this in the face of the locals suddenly acting all weird, but.. you know what, she actually should have figured said someone would be Jinx, honestly.

Her fault for not thinking about it hard enough. ]

Stop antagonizing the locals. They'll only get more annoying.

[opheliac]

But Grets, they're making it really, really , really easy for me.

( she says grinning without showing one ounce of apologetic over her behavior to them just moments ago. jinx drums her fingernails over the counter again, still having her cheek resting on her palm.)

And when they make the game this easy, I just gotta teach 'em how to make it harder. You get it, right?

[entreats]

Listen, I get it. It's not like I particularly like them or anything. [ It's mostly the kind of.. weird culty vibe they give off, really..

Ange is just paranoid enough that it makes her wary of ever trusting them fully, even with all the things they have provided them with ever since they first showed up. ]

But can't you imagine the kind of trouble we'll be in if this gets even worse? Would it kill you to spend ten seconds thinking about consequences?

[opheliac]

Yeah, it'll kill me literally. ( it won't by any means, she knows this. )

Relaa~aax, stick in the mud! Nothing is going to happen between us and these bozos. They ain't got the guts.

( jinx lets out another stretches by puffing her chest up to pop her back. )

I've been playing around with 'em since I winded up in this place. — And look at me now! Still here, still very alive, and been getting away with everything. I can do whatever I want...!

( the teen takes a few seconds to muse over her words, side-puckering her lips to the left. )

Could use a chase though. I sorta miss playing Tag.

[entreats]

[ Sorry, Jinx.

Please give Ange a moment to rub her eyelids, because-- god, does she ever feel more of a headache coming on with every single thing the other girl is telling her. ]

You're missing my point. [ Not that it's really surprising. Of course Jinx of all people would view it in this sort of way. ] I'm not talking about any personal consequences to you.

[ No point in worrying about Jinx when she's trigger-happy. If anything, she'll cause more damage in any situation than she'd ever take some, judging by everything she's said so far.. ]

I'm talking about consequences to all of us. Why do you think they're suddenly acting so weird? It's because you're being weird to them! These people don't judge individuals, you know. They judge us all collectively. [ Apparently, anyway. This sure is a sign of it. ]

[opheliac]

Then they're just a buncha class A idiots.

( she says with a shrug, her expression and tone dips serious suddenly. a little odd but if she has to take this matter sincerely without the goofy and giggles attached to get her point across, she will. )

Listen, Grets, I've already told you. I've been like this since they've dumped me here. And they've liked me just fine 'till now.

Sooooooo... — This got nothin' to do with what I've been doing. Someone else in this joint been ruffling their feathers and got 'em acting loony. So sorry, Toots. Can't shift the blame on me on this one.

[entreats]

[ At least it is true that Ange doesn't think this is just Jinx. She's met enough weirdo semi-psychopaths in this place at this point that there's no way it's just Jinx.

But, after a sigh: ]

Have you considered that I'm telling you because I feel like you might actually give what I'm saying an ounce of consideration, unlike some people here?

[ It's a very roundabout way of saying that she might be up to putting some trust into you, if you prove you can live up to it, Jinx.

Because Ange can never say anything nice in a straightforward way. It's impossible. ]

voice

[rebellions]

[ So on one hand, Ragna isn't necessarily eager to talk with Jinx; it's nothing personal, though, as he's not in a mood to speak to anyone after the bullshit with the maze, but this goes especially for those who had the misfortune of witnessing the Black Beast's rampage. On the other hand, he's noticed the locals have been acting strangely (or... even more strangely than the usual), so knowing it's not just his usual distrust and paranoia is kind of reassuring. Still, he hesitates for a little while, pondering whether to tell her that or not.

... But maybe he's got it wrong, and this might be a perfect chance for him to pretend none of that happened and just move on. Yeah, that should work. And he's definitely not using the voice option to avoid a more direct confrontation, since that would be just pathetic. ]

They sure are. And it ain't just 'cause you pissed them off, since they're giving me the stink eye too.

[opheliac]

( just voice, huh? probably something she should had expected given that she witnessed what lies within him. jinx will let it slide for now, but if this becomes a routine of his -- she'll have to kick it out of the bucket. so looking at a, well, black screen and only hearing her voice, the teen leans back a little in seat and doing another quick glance around. her gaze darts back to the tablet with a playful smirk. )

Guess they're finally seein' our potential, huh? Know to not mess with us. Maybe this dinky town will get interesting for once.

[rebellions]

Seems that way. Took them long enough.

[ Although she won't see it, Ragna has to roll his eyes at that last comment. Once again, they seem to have completely different definitions of what is "interesting", since he's not exactly eager to become a wanted man again, least of all when he hasn't even done anything to deserve it this time. ]

Been hearing them talk about "the Council" or some shit. If I were to guess, I'd say those must be in charge of the whole sentencing and crap.

[opheliac]

A council?

( her expression instantly sours as she rolls her head back in a frustrating groan. jinx sinks deep into her chair with her arms folding across her chest. )

Oh, great. Not another one. I thought I got away from all the crummy richie rich politics crap.

( or maybe the council had always been around and jinx just hadn't been paying attention. it's quite possible when she often has her own agendas. )

Welp, looks like I got another missile to build.

[rebellions]

If you ever do find a way to get away from that sorta crap, by all means, feel free to enlighten me.

[ In his experience, there's no escaping dumb politics, and he's not even that involved in this world's crap (well, aside from rebelling against it all, but details). Still, it might be a clue to figure out what's really going on in this world, so it might be promising... if only the locals were willing to talk about it instead of avoiding him. ]

Just make sure to give me a heads-up before you fire it. I don't wanna be anywhere near that.

[ He's not exactly taking the implication very seriously... despite knowing all too well she's not just joking. ]

[opheliac]

It's easy to get away from it. All you gotta do is blow 'em up! It's what I did before I crash landed here.

( is that much a surprise now? the fact that her solution in getting rid of politics or any upperclassmen is to evaporate them out of existence? )

'Course! I won't let my partner go KA-BLAM unless he wants to be.

video ;

[individualized]

That is not a repercussion of staring in most cases.

[Look who absolutely has the point of all this and is bringing up the most important part?]

[opheliac]

Oh trust me, it is. If you stare at me anyway.

( her smile might be innocent enough but her words are definitely beyond anything sugary coated. )

[individualized]

[She actually thinks about this for a second.]

I fail to see how you would be an exception.

[opheliac]

I guess you've never gashed an eye out, huh? ( a beat. ) — I haven't either, but I'm not above it.

( with her saying this aloud, a few locals peek over with a worry look on their faces. should they contact the workers again? the girl still hadn't order any food yet! )

[individualized]

[Maybe she has? There's not much information on her job history, and her boss was definitely a fan of doing stuff like that himself.]

Oh, you were making a simple threat, then. I believe the cause would be your actions as opposed to theirs in that case.

[opheliac]

Yeah, I was obviously making a threat. Sheesh, are you some kind of outcast or something?

( someone who is more than an outcast than her is very unheard of. )

video;

[laserguy]

[Jinx, buddy, no.

Like Scott sort of gets it, the way the locals have been treating him and others, especially after the whole maze shit, has been completely ass and he's been sort of pissy too.

But.]

Dude I don't think that's helping.

[Don't get kicked out of the sandwich shop!]

[opheliac]

Are you suuuuuuuuuure ♪?

( she asks in a sing-song tone, biting her lower lip for a brief moment to contain her giggles. )

I think it's working out pretty swell...! No one is bugging me now.

[laserguy]

Pretty sure.

[Scott sighs slightly. He pretty much expected Jinx to act this way, but hey, she's a friend and everything and so he's worried. Not to mention, despite the red haze he sees things through, he can tell there's something a little off about her. So, there's also that.]

Maybe, but they're definitely talking behind your back and keeping an eye on you now. [Like how teachers and crap always had their eye on problem students and whatever.]

[opheliac]

I'm fine with that. I like the attention. ( if it isn't obvious by now. ) — It's about time these ants knew my name and what I'm all about.

( because how else is she going to rule a village in the near future if they had no idea who their "queen" will be? it'd be pretty unfortunate. )

[laserguy]

Jinx, I think almost everyone already knows.

[She's not shy that's all he saying--]

It might be cool until they tie you up and throw you in prison or something. Then you're stuck in some crappy place without anything fun to do. [...] Besides, do you really want the attention of these assholes? They suck.

[opheliac]

Tie me up and throw away the key? — Ooooo, fun!

( somehow she finds the excitement in that. )

Listen Shades, they may suck but I can make 'em less so! They just need me to guide 'em in the right direction. A helping hand, an extra screw to twist!