Then I'll let you break it again and again [Open]

[keep_surviving]

Diana was walking through hydroponics. With Jinx. And Provisions. Like some kind of warped, family outing.

Why?

They were having a lazy day in Jinx’s apartment, Diana watching Pro glide to and fro along the different pieces of furniture and Jinx lounging on the sofa reading one of her books, with the young bird occasionally coasting over her head to clip at her hair, much to Diana’s smug amusement and Jinx’s exasperation.

After a small period of time, Jinx put her book away and came over to see the other girl who was squatting in her apartment, expression on her face that as if she’d had a brilliant idea. Slyly, she put forward the idea that since they spent so much time together anyway, perhaps she and Diana could go on a date.

The result was Diana laughing in her face. It was a short laugh that only escaped because the question had been so unexpected, but it had swiftly drained all confidence from Jinx’s face.

Despite the fact Diana had no desire to partake in ‘dates’, especially the type that included commitment, because she had no use for that, the crushed expression on Jinx’s face as she tried pull her damaged pride back made Diana actually feel guilty.

It was at this point she realized she may be getting far too invested with Jinx and that perhaps this relationship was taking a turn into something Diana was not planning for and had been trying to steer clear of.

But if it had, it was too late to change now, she’d just have to think of some way of dealing with it later. For now though, she had to appease the girl who looked like she was about to crawl under her bed and hide from the world for a month.

So, Diana had suggested that maybe they could go for a walk together. It was still a very cheesy, romantic novel thing, which usually made Diana roll her eyes and brush the idea away, but it had certainly brought the light back into the those pink eyes.

So, now here they were.

Provisions coasting from branch to branch, exploring and strengthening his wings and flight skills, stopping to make sure the two girls were still close by and crowing for their attention when he managed a long glide. He was still incapable of true flight, but he’d certainly been coming along these past few days.

Jinx and Diana walked side by side, watching him hop and flap about. Jinx had been mostly quiet since they’d set off. Diana guessed she was still sore from the laugh. Joy.

Comments

[badluckbabe]

Jinx was doing her best to enjoy the sights and sounds of Hydroponics. She'd never been one for nature having been mostly a city girl, but now that there was so little nature to had she had learned to appreciate it...at arms length.

Speaking of arms length...she cast a sideways glance at Diana before returning her cool gaze to the plants along the pathway. This walk was her booby prize. She was runner up in a contest that as far as she was aware, she was the only one in the running.

It was a stupid thing to do really. She had been struggling with the idea ever since GLaDOS forced them together before. She wasn't so obtuse to not see that Diana would have already said something if she wanted commitment.

But in an moment of temporary insanity that Jinx would blame on her lousy taste in dime story love novels she had asked her out and was shot down in a single burst of gunfire that sounded very much like condescending laughter.

She had done the same to more then a few students from the Academy, it was about time she was on this end of things.

Still Diana didn't want to lose Jinx as a...what was she really? Tool? Ally? Toy? In her current mindset Jinx felt that using the word "Friend" was being too optimistic. And so here they were, each of them pretending they really wanted to be here.

[keep_surviving]

Diana caught the glance and smirked. It was just funny the way Jinx pouted. Obviously, the girl was trying to stay stubborn and be the last one to talk. It was so adorably childish. One of the reasons, Diana had finally admitted to herself, that she did enjoy spending time with Jinx.

Well, Diana had her own ways of dealing with Jinx, no matter what the situation.

Provisions had managed to land a particularly tricky glide and crowed to them both for recognition. “Well done.” Diana said, in that slightly softer tone she only addressed Pro in when it was just her and Jinx. She held her hand out and he swooped over, flapping his wings at her, glowing from her praise. “Jinx would say something but she’s too busy being pouty with me.” She said, teasingly as she stroked Pro’s beak.

[badluckbabe]

Jinx gave a look of faint exasperation seeing exactly what Diana was doing, but like so many of Diana's little manipulations she would indulge. It was just becoming routine by now.

"I'm not pouting. You're entitled to your opinions." She argued "And I wouldn't want to make you do anything you didn't want. I couldn't even if I tried." She extended a hand to stroke Provision's feathers lightly.

[keep_surviving]

Pro used his clawed feet to switch from Diana's hand to Jinx's, gurgling in greeting.

"Of course, you're not." Diana countered, smug expression never leaving her face. "You're just being stubbornly quiet because you don't want to wake up the leaves."

[badluckbabe]

Her cheeks burned with frustration, she never could get used to Diana's ability to make her feel so...young. And silly and immature.

"What would you like to talk about then." Jinx challenged knowing full well that question was opening up a whole new minefield. But since Diana NEVER talked about herself or her home life looking back on things there was only so much they could cover.

[keep_surviving]

Diana meets Jinx's challenge with a sickly sweet smile, her tone far too nice and gentle to be real. "How about why you're being so cold with me, darling?"

[badluckbabe]

The response was enough to make Jinx's stomach tie up in knots. She had to take a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Well maybe I'm just a little puzzled as to how I should be acting. After all we wouldn't want to give anyone the wrong idea would we?" because clearly she had had the wrong idea. It really just talking to hear herself though because she knew that Diana knew exactly what the reason was.

[shiest_sunbeam]

It wasn't often that Ronnae could be seen outside of the Engineering Department recently, what with all the things that needed to be done in preparation for whatever lie ahead, it was a miracle that she made it home at 'night' to sleep. If it were up to her, she'd probably sleep at work.

But today had been a day she separated just to relax and enjoy a nice quiet time. Hydroponics was one of the places she went to when she just wanted peace and quiet and the good chance of avoiding any embarrassing situations, and for the most part, it worked perfectly.

Lounging under a tree, she noticed the pair passing by and tilted her head curiously, she hadn't expected anyone around here today, and specially not those two. She had only had a brief encounter with one, and the encounters with the other had been... interesting was the closest word she could describe it as.

Nonetheless, the half orc girl gave a timid wave and a smile before turning back to the scenery of Hydroponics, looking over every now and then just out of habit.

[badluckbabe]

Jinx smirked recognizing an old target for flirting and winked, "If it isn't the beautiful bride. How's the honeymoon?" She called pleasantly with intentions to embarrass.

[keep_surviving]

"Hey there, cutie. I'd heard you'd tied the knot." Diana seemed to find this rather amusing. "Is he keeping things spicy and interesting?"

[shiest_sunbeam]

Ronnae blinked a few times, a slight tinge of red in her face and still, she simply smiled timidly before responding.

"It was fun. surprisingly relaxing all things considered. Thanks for asking..." She then turned to Diana and her face reddened a bit more, even though she was trying to keep her composure. "Things are good and all, and it's hard for things not to be interesting around here." she replied, trying to avoid the subject. "How are you both?"

[badluckbabe]

"Oh you know...keeping busy." It was almost impossible to miss the double meaning in her voice but she let her eyes settle on Ronnae's "Any plans to bring any little quarter green children along if we ever get Stacy to allow rugrats?"

[keep_surviving]

Diana chuckled at Jinx's question, smirking at Ronnae. A young crow then flies over and lands on Diana's shoulder, tilting his head at her laughter before opening his beak and letting out several short ka's like he's trying to copy her.

[iselldrugstothecommunity]

"Are you guys...?" Howard's hanging out in Hydroponics, checking on his beloved and secret fruit tree He points a finger between the two of them, looking a bit confused. "For real?"

[keep_surviving]

"Hey, Howie~" Diana smiled that false smile of hers, looking rather amused. "What do you mean?"

[badluckbabe]

"Howie~" Jinx parroted with a sultry inflection and a nod of her head letting Diana take the lead with this particular plaything.

[iselldrugstothecommunity]

Ugh. Apparently the diminutive nickname is contagious. "You're being all cutesy in public."

[keep_surviving]

"I have no idea what you're talking about. Can't a couple of girls take their pet for a walk? Speaking off..." Diana smirked and called out. "Pro! Come say hi to Howie."

The deep black and blue bird landed on Diana's shoulder then hopped its way down her arm to get a better look at Howard from her hand, turning his head this way and that at the 'Odd Skinny Boy'.

[badluckbabe]

"I'd say someone has a dirty mind if he takes something as innocent as a walk and makes it into something intimate. Have you been sleeping ok Howard?" Jinx purred all too politely.

[hit_girl_mindy]

The last few days were a mixture of a breakthrough and annoyance. The break through, after finally listening to the stuff Morgan was telling her, magic was starting to come more easily to her. Once she realized it was will and intent, not so much words, that brought her magic about, she was at it with renewed gusto, meditating daily and using whatever free time she had to perfect her magic.

Of course, losing her cook was definitely not on her list of happy things to happen. Now she was having to make up for lost time, rededicating her time to cooking some of the stuff he made. As a result, she had an open book of recipes in front of her, which she was paying little to no attention at the moment.

Right now she just wanted peace and quiet, and she was sitting against a tree, eyes closed, breathing quietly, meditating.

What her father would have said about that was anyone's guess.

[keep_surviving]

Without warning, a crow suddenly alighted itself on Mindys head. A very familiar crow that often hung around Mindy's own cafe. Provisions let out a harsh 'caw' and shook himself on his new perch.

"Hey, cutie." Came a familiar, teasing voice from the path near the tree, where Diana stood beside Jinx, smirking at Mindy.

[badluckbabe]

Jinx couldn't help but smirk at the scene. Diana had so many fun little friends worth frustrating. Watching her work was one of the simple joys of stalking her.

[hit_girl_mindy]

See, this was why she had avoided the Sensoriums: every time she tried to sit and do her thing, some fucker had to come and spoil her concentration. This time in question had a few familiar fuckers though, so she had no choice but to open her eyes. Diana (of course) with Jinx and that bird, which was on her head.

It was getting way too comfortable at taking advantage of how little she gave a shit.

"Hey," she said, running a hand through her hair. "Actually, glad we ran into each other, I'm probably gonna need your help in the next few days. Our chef was podded."

[keep_surviving]

When Mindy ran her hand through her hair, Pro flapped and stepped onto that instead, gripping onto her fingers with clawed feet.

"Oh." Diana didn't look too concerned, she wasn't that familiar with the other cook anyway. "I'm sure I can pull a couple of extra shifts." She winked. "Anything to help you, cutie."

[badluckbabe]

"I see what this is." Jinx pronounced and pointed an accusing finger at Mindy, "trying to keep her all to yourself huh? Pulling long shifts together, trying to wear down her defenses..." She smirked wickedly.