4 [@dodger//video]

[smokedout]

[When the feed switches on, he's fixing his phone's position. His face isn't visible, but it is possible to see the outline of the wraps on his wrists, and the tattoos stretching up across his forearms.

Then he moves back to a stool set up in the room, perfectly lit and angled so that he's just barely obscured enough to show his silhouette without much detail in his appearance. He's not wearing his favorite hoodie for once, just a black band t-shirt with his silver necklace pulled out to be visible over the shirt. His gold necklace is still hidden under it.

The figure is in the middle of Eichi Tenshouin's bedroom, in the Tenshouin estate. Behind him, though the room is rather dark aside from a light he set up to light him from behind, the audience will be able to see a room that is mostly barren aside from a few posters of Wataru Hibiki, a bed and a desk covered in neatly-organized music sheets. It's a place that's really only recognizable if someone knew the original owner, and otherwise looks like a set rather than somewhere that someone lived.

For those who have yet to meet him, the figure in the video is Jamie Dodger. He's missing his right eye, there are deep scars across his face, and there are gauze wraps over his wrists that hide half of his forearms. For a man of only 25, he looks like he's walked through hell, but for once he isn't trying to boost up his street cred by threatening the network as a whole.

Instead he simply pulls out a guitar from behind the stool, and begins playing. The song he sings is slow and melancholy, a tribute for the man that he has spent nearly three weeks now mourning and is trying so hard to get over. Eichi had never gotten to hear him play... so he guesses it's sort of wishful thinking that playing publically would make him feel better about that, even if Eichi is no longer here to know it.

Though most people won't know the struggle that brought this song around, at least the music is good. Dodger is a skilled musician, and his voice is deep and gruff without sacrificing much range. More than anything, there's a lot of emotion in his singing. And when the song is over, he is silent for several seconds before getting up and wordlessly shutting off the feed.]

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[smokedout]

I know where it is.

[Because he's fucking weird like that. But she can expect him to show up about two hours after this conversation. He smells more like liquor than usual, and he's smoking what is likely his 20th cigarette of the day as he knocks on her door. Because Dodger is great at self-control.]

[onblackwings]

[ And Onyx is, as promised, organizing. She's got her entire stash of what she would consider valuable things spread out on her bed, being carefully cataloged, gathered, and prepared. It's everything from pretty but ultimately useless trinkets, to undoubtedly expensive jewelry that it's doubtful whether she actually bought. There are even a few weapons thrown in -- at least 15 large steel broadswords, and here and there slimmer and more delicately made daggers or smaller swords. She doesn't even glance over from it at the sound of the knock. ]

It's open.

[smokedout]

[Well... considering what he knows about her, this doesn't really surprise him. When he teleports through the door, he checks around the room and just shakes his head slowly with annoyance.]

This is more important than seeing me, huh?

[Interesting that she seems to be hoarding valuables, though. She really does like shiny things.

With a soft huff, he slips his hands around her waist and leans against her back, briefly moving her hair aside to kiss her neck.]

Didn't you miss me?

[onblackwings]

[ Every time they're apart, the fact that she enjoys Dodger's presence and their time together starts to fade from her mind. It had done so again, more than usual in his longer absence, and so at first she ignores the arm around her waist, the kiss at her neck. But then she remembers how warm he is, and eases into it. ]

I don't miss anyone.

[ She lifts the object she'd been holding at about chest-height, cleaning with a rag. It's a skull -- a little bit larger than human, not quite human-shaped but close, and lacking a jawbone. She could never make the jawbones stay on, once the skin and muscle were gone. She regards it with a thoughtful frown, in particular the jagged hole punched in each of its temples. ]

Bone can be so fragile. Isn't there a way to... reinforce this? I'm afraid it might disintegrate around the holes, given long enough.

[smokedout]

Dip it in resin.

[He grazes his teeth lightly on Khisanth's neck, a little annoyed at her not giving him much attention. But as starved as he is for it, he's happy just to have her there to accept his affection.]

It's like a natural glue - it solidifies around things and makes them tougher. Sort of like how amber is made, yeah?

[He thinks so, anyway. He has only a general sense of a lot of things regarding science and the natural world - nature isn't his forte.]

[onblackwings]

Resin. [ She makes a thoughtful noise, still studying it. ] Do you have any?

[ The teeth on her skin is always nice, and she enjoys it for a moment, but she's busy. In a moment more she pulls forward and away from him, leaning to drop the skull into a bin next to the bed -- filled with other skulls. 14 of them, in fact. ]

[smokedout]

No, I don't. No use for it.

[When she pulls away from him, he lets out another soft huff and teleports onto the bed, laying himself out lazily as he watches her. She'd made it so difficult to get her attention, and he's still not getting any... and every time she brushes him off he gets a little more annoyed.]

Can't that crap wait until I leave?

[onblackwings]

[ Well then what use is resin!! Sigh. ]

Not really. [ She reaches to pick up what looks like a heavy diamond necklace, possibly authentic, and eyes it critically. ] I'll be leaving soon, as well.

[smokedout]

[Well what was the point of inviting him over!!!

He sits up a bit then, and fixes her with a sullen look.]

Put the junk down and come over here. You can organize later.

[onblackwings]

[ Her eyes flick up from jewelry to Dodger, along with a suspicious frown. ]

You only want sex. [ It's not usually a bad thing, but sounds marginally like an accusation today. ] I don't have time right now.

[smokedout]

I want you to look at me for more than five seconds.

[He tips his head, grumbling something under his breath that sounds an awful lot like 'fucking bitch'.]

Just come over here before I drag you over.

[onblackwings]

[ Her lips press together, but he has her attention. She even lowers the necklace, one hand on a hip and eyes on Dodger. ]

I'm looking at you. [ And a few steps take her to the edge of the bed, even. ] What do you want?

[smokedout]

[As soon as Khisanth is close enough, he grabs her by the shoulder - a bit more roughly than he strictly needs to - and drags her onto the bed. After rolling over, he's pinned her onto the bed and presses a brief, matter-of-fact kiss to her lips.]

You're pissing me off.

[onblackwings]

[ She should have expected this. Her eyes narrow as she goes down and her body stiffens. She doesn't resist, but she doesn't kiss back. ]

It's mutual. [ One of the ornate daggers isn't so far from her head. She doesn't go for it, but she does keep it in mind. ] Don't roll over any of this, I value it.

[smokedout]

[He is aware of his surroundings enough to notice the dagger as well, but he isn't looking for a fight. Only noting what's around him in case Khisanth's temper is stretched as thin as his is.]

Then stop ignoring me. [He huffs softly, lowering himself to weigh her down with his body and resting his chin on her chest.] I haven't seen you in weeks, least you could do is pretend to give a shit.

[onblackwings]

[ The last thing she wants to do right now is be still, she has things to do and places to go. She can typically put up with Dodger's antics because their goals align, but that isn't the case today. She doesn't relax under him, and looks no more pleased to have him settling down. ]

I'm not ignoring you. I told you, I'm busy. And weeks is barely anything, why should I care more now than usual?

[smokedout]

You're not busy, you're sorting through your junk pile. That shit'll be around forever, I might disappear next week and never come back, so which is more important?

[His voice isn't really showing true anger; more indignation. He'd hoped to be the center of attention, an intriguing thing to play with, but instead she's busy.]

All I want's an hour to relax with you, is that so fucking difficult?

[onblackwings]

Why would you disappear?

[ Her tone is suddenly sharp, accusing, not at all liking the sound of that idea, and her attention follows suit. She may have been distanced lately from her human self, reminded keenly of her true nature — but that doesn't mean she never wants to see Dodger. He's enjoyable. And an ally, besides that. She'd really prefer he stay in this world. ]

[smokedout]

[He notices that accusation, and it soothes his anger a bit. At least they have that in common, the unwillingness to part with someone they've gotten attached to.

He leans up a bit, pressing a kiss to her lips that tastes like cigarettes and cheap whiskey.]

Don't worry about it, alright? Or at least have the courtesy to kiss me back, yeah?

[onblackwings]

[ She doesn't look at all soothed by his answer, and she still isn't in the mood for kissing. She pulls her head back, chin tipped up, no less sharp. ]

No, tell me what you mean. Are you planning to go somewhere?

[smokedout]

I said don't worry about it.

[He lets out an annoyed huff, reaching up to tangle his fingers in her hair and force her to look at him.]

Look at me. It's none of your business, alright?

[onblackwings]

[ He's always using this hair against her. She shouldn't even have hair, just smooth, sleek scales, difficult to find purchase agaisnt. The thought makes her more anxious than ever to get back to her work, and she puts a good, strong effort into sitting up against his weight. ]

If it doesn't matter, then get off of me. I'll give you an hour later.

[smokedout]

[He lets her push him a bit, but he still keeps her pinned down and after a moment grabs her wrists to keep her in place.]

It does matter, it's just none of your business.

[He leans closer, giving her a hard, cold look as he mutters with their lips an inch apart:]

If you keep pissing me off, I'm going to have to teach you to give me respect. And neither of us want that, alright? So shut up and try to learn some fucking manners. You self-righteous fucking bitch.

[onblackwings]

[ Frustration grits her teeth, and she meets his cold look with a fiery one of growing irritation. ]

Respect here should be mutual. [ Which is generous of her, honestly. ] We're allies, aren't we? It's the only thing that's kept me this patient with you. But keep this up, and I might have to change my mind.

[ Despite the fact that she currently can't beat his strength and sit up. She'll figure something out if it comes to it. ]

[smokedout]

We're not allies, we're dating, you dumb cunt.

[You know, how you talk to your girlfriend?]

Which means giving me the courtesy of at least acting like you give a fuck about me when you invite me over. You think I don't have my own shit to do? I put it aside so I could see you. You can at least do the same for ten fucking minutes.