Etraya Inbox

[hexcope]

𝐓𝐄𝐗𝐓 | 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄 | 𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎 | 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

Comments

[hexcope]

And if I changed my mind?

[jinxs]

sounds like your loss. very much so

[hexcope]

[Texting is annoying for this, so he switches to audio. There's the dull and repetitive clanking of heavy gears churning, so it's probably easy to guess where he is.]

We can't work together, Jinx.

[jinxs]

(there is no reply, not through the network at the very least. instead, it comes from ventilation ducts of jayce's forge, her voice echoing through them. it's not that she is planning anything bad, it's just that it's comfortable for her like this.

lying on her back, she spins the gun on her finger.)

Seriously, Jayce?

[hexcope]

[Well, that startles the living fuck out of him.]

Shit— Jinx are you— in my walls?

[He's looking around for her, and also looking for his shirt to put it back on. He thought he was alone!!]

[jinxs]

Yep. Kinda.

(lucky for him she is not watching, or she'd mock him for it.)

Let me guess, mom said no?

[hexcope]

[Shirt back on, although not properly done, he'll take some time to straight it out and get it all smudgy with grease in the meanwhile.]

She doesn't trust you.

[jinxs]

And you do whatever she says? Guess you're the dog out of the two. Guess what, my dad probably doesn't want me to play science-buds with you either, but hey. Rebellion is good for the soul. Have you ever even broken a rule?

(she knows he has, because it is impossible not to, but there's something in there that she wants to pull out. perhaps a sense of pride?)

[hexcope]

Considering you've told me I make her a Hextech weapon after everything that happened. Yeah. I guess I do whatever she says.

[He doesn't even sound mad about it. Just resigned.]

I'm surprised she still trusts me after I held back the truth from her for so long.

[jinxs]

You don't see it, do you? As long as I am around, well. You can do anything, all you have to do is pin it on me. She hates me much more than she could ever hate you, Golden boy. Thought that was pretty obvious. This place dimming you down?

(she does have one last trick up her sleeve. it's just not time yet.)

[hexcope]

And lie to her? Again? Not if you paid me.

[He sighs and leans against the nearby workbench, arms crossed.]

Can you at least come down from wherever you are so I don't sound like I'm talking to the air?

[jinxs]

Hah! Why? You were perfectly content breaking a promise through the air not too long ago. You're just scared I'm going to shoot you, aren't you? Which, let's put all cards on the table here, you kind of deserve.

(for giving her hope that she could do something different.

fix.)

[hexcope]

No. I don't think you will.

[The way her voice is echoing, it's hard to pinpoint exactly where she is. But there's a reverberation to it that wouldn't happen if she was just in the rafters. Sounds like a tunnel. A ventilation shaft, maybe.

He'll take a guess.]

How's that soot feel, by the way? It's going to be really annoying to get out of your clothes.

[jinxs]

Not the worst they've seen.

(she answers, even if it gives her away. it's fine. what is he going to do, enter it?)

And don't push me, I'm actually having a good day for once. Why shouldn't I shoot you? Top five reasons.

[hexcope]

[With his thoughts confirmed, he at least can look up at the vent when he talks. Makes him feel a little less stupid to talk in the direction of someone.]

I'll give you four.

One, you still think you can convince me to help and know I definitely won't if you shoot me.

Two, waste of a bullet, and we're in short supply here. If you really want to know... I tried to get Caitlyn to agree to let us work together, to get her more bullets for the impending invasion. Even that didn't work.

Three, it would start in-fighting even worse than we already have. Caitlyn and Viktor both wish I'd stop talking to you and Sevika entirely.

Four... I don't think you actually want to.

[jinxs]

One, I'm the one doing a favor here, or do you think I need you more than you need me?

(she's about to rebuke every single one of his points, watch her.)

Two, who said I use bullets?

Three, Viktor-I-wish-you-would-use-your-potential-for-something-productive-that Viktor? Maybe. But Caitlyn already doesn't, doesn't she?

(she even copies his accent, horribly so. she hasn't heard him talk as much to do it better.)

Four, you don't know me.

Five, I got a hexstone, so I guess it's me, myself, and my rock. Now I'm the one who isn't working with you even if you beg me, Talis.

[hexcope]

[He's ready to just take the punches as they come, ready to shrug it all off if he needs to, but the last part-]

You have a gemstone? Here?

[That changes everything. It's clear he looks like he's suddenly out of breath, eyes wide.]

We don't know what that could do here. The repercussions of mixing Runeterran magic and this world's...

[jinxs]

Goodbye, Talis. Enjoy endlessly squirming.

(just because he was contrary to her, well. he gets what he sows, and she isn't telling him anything further.

she knows he will agonize over whether she is lying or telling the truth for a while, and that? that feels great, too.)

[hexcope]

No— wait!

[But then there's just silence.]