Shimmer and shine

Consequences

Jinx's talk with the madam was filled with the woman's incredulous looks.

"you want to work here?" the raised brow and disbelief made Jinx's anger rise.

"What's wrong with that? Am I not good enough?" she responded bitterly.

The woman laughed, "You come in here, obviously in trouble, with expensive jewels and giving off the feeling that you don't belong here. And you want to work."

Jinx looked away. "I've got nowhere else to go." She said bitterly, "And I was born in the undercity, I haven't forgotten what these streets are like."

Babette watched her for a moment.

Jinx looked at Mira who hummed, "Perhaps Madam, A trial night?" the woman was then pinned under Babette's gaze, "I... I could watch over her for the night."

The woman frowned, then looked back at Jinx and sighed, "One night. You don't show promise and you're out of here."

Jinx smiled widely and nodded. "Of course."

"Tonight Mira will teach you the ropes. Tomorrow you're on the floor working front of house." The woman said, narrowing her eyes at her. "What's your name girl?"

Jinx blinked, she wasn't willing to give her real one, just in case someone tried to come looking for her.

"Mouser." She offered hesitantly,

The woman's lips curled down, "a stage name is smart, but tell me girl. Are you going to bring trouble?"

Jinx shrugged, full disclosure made sense, she'd already told Mira her intentions, it would be easier to be upfront about them than have whispers happening behind her back. "To you? Not intentionally. To the people who betrayed me? definitely. But I will be careful not to bring it back here."

The woman sighed, "I trust you realise that there are some people you shouldn't anger..." the warning was appreciated, but Jinx had no intention of letting it sway her purpose.

"I'll keep that in mind." She said with a fake smile. The woman pursed her lips and turned to Mira. "teach her the ropes."

"Yes madam."

--

"you did what?!" Viktor yelled, "How could you."

Jayce cringed and curled into himself slightly at the sight of the uncharacteristically enraged man.

"I thought it was the only way to keep the peace." He whispered, "I was the only one on the council opposed to the deal. I was outvoted."

Viktor ground his teeth together, "you. You are the one who makes the deals. Not them. You could have found another way." He dropped back into his chair, throwing his cane away in anger. "She is like family."

Jayce moved to retrieve the cane and return it to the man. "I know."

Viktor hissed a breath and Jayce looked at him concerned.

"has anyone even told Caitlyn?"

Jayce looked away, shaking his head, "no." Caitlyn wouldn't have stood by and let it happen, things would have been even worse if she'd gotten involved.

"If you think that I'm mad..." Viktor warned, glaring at the other man.

"I know. She's never going to talk to me again." Jayce cringed.

"I am your partner and I'm tempted to do the same." Viktor growled, "How are you so smart and so stupid at the same time."

Jayce deflated, he deserved the anger and the criticism for his inaction and his action. The entire situation was all wrong. "I should go tell her." He said wincing.