the Jinxy retake

ice cream'n'deals

Cynthia smiled, looking at Mr. Jinx who was asleep, he looked somewhat peaceful. Melody also looked relaxed being brushed, not minding Cynthia's actions either; a sudden knock to the door broke the comforting silence, someone was visiting. This woke up Mr.Jinx and he snapped his fingers a d he and Melody turned into their human forms, Cynthia puts Melody down on the table nearby and quickly walked to the door, not thinking much of the transformation. She opened the door and was surprised to see who was visiting. On the other side of the door was an older woman, mid forties with black hair in a bun, dressed in a smart pantsuit; she smiled upon seeing Cynthia. "Cynthia!" She exclaimed, "Oh my god, you've grown so much; haven't I told you to visit more?". While Cynthia and the woman talked Andrew(Mr.Jinx) looks at Melody who was sitting on the floor and she looks up at Andrew (Mr.jinx) with a smile, upon noticing Melody looking at him he smiled back and gave a subtle thumbs up, as if to say, you're doing good. He decided to glance back over to the conversation at the door, as if to listen in, the older woman stepped inside and looked around, noticing Mr. Jinx for the first time. She gave a warm smile and walked over to him, holding out a hand for a handshake. "Hello," she said, still smiling "I'm Cynthia's cousin in law, it's nice to meet you, you must be..." She trailed off as if to ask for a name. Andrew (Mr.jinx shook the lady's hand and said "I'm Andrew" in a polite manner as Melody (who was in human form) got up and looks at the lady and waves hi in a friendly way and Andrew (Mr. Jinx) smiles at Melody's innocence. The lady chuckled and looked back down to Melody. "Why hello there," she said, she crouched down to Melody's level and ruffled her hair in a caring manner, but not in a condescending manner and spoke again, "What's your name little one?", Melody seemed to enjoy the head ruffling and chuckled a bit, "My name's Melody!" she said in a cheerful manner, "Aww" the lady said with a warm smile, still crouching down to Melody's height, "What a cute name". She then looked up at Andrew (Mr.Jinx), her smile not going away "I can see you have your hands full with this one" she chuckled. Andrew (Mr. Jinx) chuckled as well, nodding "Yeah, you could say that" he then looked at Melody who gave another smile, and he smiled back, she was too cute for her own good, the lady stood up straight and looked back at Andrew (Mr. Jinx) she seemed to have something in her mind she wanted to ask but was unsure if it was appropriate to ask "So," she started, "I do have a small question", Andrew (Mr. Jinx) noticed the uncertainty in her voice, though, he simply nodded to let her know it was alright to ask "Yeah?", the lady took a deep breath and began to speak, seemingly preparing herself, "Are you, perhaps Melody's father?" She paused then hurried to speak again "You don't have to answer if you don't want to!", Andrew (Mr. Jinx) was completely caught off guard with the question, his face went a little red in surprise. He glanced at Melody who was oblivious to what was going on, then looked back to the lady who anxiously waited for an answer. Andrew (Mr. Jinx) took a quick deep breath then spoke "actually Yes, I am," he answered. The lady's eyebrows went up in surprise upon hearing that, she seemed completely dumbfounded by the answer, almost unable to believe it. She looked at Melody again then back to Andrew (Mr. Jinx)
"Really?" she asked, almost to clarify that was his actual answer, Andrew (Mr. Jinx) chuckled a bit, rubbing the back of his neck "Yeah" he said with a nod "I know it's probably hard to believe... but yeah", the lady was silent for a moment, processing what she was told until she suddenly broke out into a smile "That's amazing!" she exclaimed "You must have a lot on your hands, especially being young and all, but you seem to be handling it well". Hearing how nicely the lady responded made him quite happy, he let out a quiet sigh of relief and chuckled a bit "Yeah, I suppose I do," he paused then let out a soft sigh as he thought about everything that's happened since he met Melody. He glanced down at Melody who was blissfully unaware of what was being said "But it's worth it". The lady saw how he looked at Melody and she gave a small chuckle "You seem to really love her, you're doing a good job so far", Andrew (Mr. Jinx) looked back up, he was red again from the comment "Aww, you think so?" he asked, quite surprised that the lady thought that, but also quite happy to hear it. He then looked down at Melody who was sitting on the floor, she was sitting cross-legged, swaying her legs from side to side. "Of course I think so," the lady said with a smile, "Not many people could care for a small child the way you do", Cynthia, who was watching the conversation the whole time and was listening in, decided to cut in, "He's trying his best to cope," *Cynthia said with a small chuckle, "He's been very worried a couple of times, but he's doing well for the first time being a dad". This made Andrew (Mr.jinx)'s smile falter slightly out of embarrassment but he hid it under a natural expression and said "I suppose I am" in a low yet calm tone, the lady chuckled upon hearing what Cynthia said and looked back at Andrew (Mr. Jinx with a smile on her face "Well, that's normal, every parent is worried when they first have a kid, right?", she began fiddling with her hair now "May I ask a question?".
Andrew (Mr. Jinx) smiled at her comment, his embarrassment calming down a bit, but he couldn't help but wonder what the next question would be "Yeah, go ahead", the lady looked away for a moment, thinking about her question before she spoke again, "Are you... married?" she asked, in a somewhat sheepish tone, as if she was nervous to get the answer. This made Andrew (Mr.Jinx) silent for a solid minute but he then said "no...." as he crossed his arms and says "I'm a single father" as he crossed his arms and looks at the woman and Cynthia for their reactions, the lady nodded upon hearing his answer, a bit surprised that he was a single father but she smiled, clearly not caring about him being single. Cynthia, on the other hand was somewhat shocked upon hearing this. "Wait you're NOT a married?!", she exclaimed, clearly extremely surprised by the revelation. The lady chuckled and nodded, she began to think for a moment, thinking about something to say, until she suddenly had an idea. She looked up, a smirk on her face as she looked directly at Andrew (Mr. Jinx) "So how old are you exactly?" The lady asked, there seemed to be another meaning behind her question. When the lady asked the question, Andrew (Mr. Jinx) tensed a bit, he knew this was coming but he didn't expect it to happen this fast. He glanced at Cynthia who was staring at him intensely, he swallowed a bit, then responded "I'm 20" he knew it was probably a lie because he was centuries old but he didn't want her to know that fact. The lady chuckled again "Are you sure?, you look very young" she said, a cheeky smile on her face, Andrew (Mr. Jinx) chuckled awkwardly at the lady's comment, he rubbed the back of his neck, quite surprised with how perceptive this woman was. He was expecting this kind of question, but he wasn't expecting to be questioned so soon or for the lady to be so perceptive "Yeah, I'm sure. I just, I guess I just look young and all" he said, stuttering a bit from his nervousness. The lady seemed a little bit sceptical upon hearing his answer, then she began tapping her chin as if thinking of something. The lady, still poking her chin, then looked dead into Andrew (Mr. Jinx)'s eyes again, this time her gaze seemed like she was inspecting him, trying to read something from him. She then took a deep breath before asking, "Do you have any education or job?" she said bluntly, it seemed like she was really trying to figure Andrew (Mr. Jinx) out. (Mr.Jinx) Andrew was starting to get irritated but he said "I do in fact have a job and a decent amount of education if there's something you want to say" in a calm tone before continuing by saying "you might as well say it now" in a serious but not too serious tone. The lady chuckled lightly and said "Okay, okay, I do have something to say" she paused for a moment, choosing her words carefully before continuing "As a mother myself, I've come to be able to tell things about people I converse with, especially parents". Andrew (Mr. Jinx) was listening intently, a bit worried where she was going with this. The lady continued to speak "And I have a feeling, that you aren't being completely, transparent with me" she stated bluntly, Andrew (Mr. Jinx) froze, his heart started beating faster, unsure of what the lady was implying, The lady could see how Andrew (Mr. Jinx) tensed up, which was confirmation that she was on the right track with her assumption "The question of your age just now, that's what got me" she said, still looking dead into his eyes, Andrew (Mr. Jinx) broke a sweaty and began rubbing his neck again nervously. It was taking all his willpower not to let his true self show "What do you mean?" he said cautiously. The lady chuckled again and said "Well, it's just, parents are usually much older than twenty, but here you are saying you're twenty" she said in an almost jokingly manner, but her eyes showed the complete opposite, she was completely serious, Andrew (Mr. jinx) could feel himself sweating more than before, he had to play this off somehow "Yeah, well" he chuckled awkwardly "I.. guess I had Melody earlier than most people.. heh".
Before the lady could say anything else the doorbell rang and that changed the subject momentary, Andrew (Mr.Jinx) felt his heart rate through the roof and he scooted away from the lady and sat back down on the couch.The lady looked at Andrew (Mr.Jinx) and chuckled, finding him a bit suspicious, but nonetheless she decided not to push the previous topic any further, as she was going to have time anyways, she walked over to the door and opened it, revealing a man standing at the door. The man, seemingly her husband, was carrying a few bags of groceries and was surprised to see someone he didn't recognize "Hey honey," he said with a smile, the lady smiled and said "Hi dear," she stood aside to let him inside, then the husband noticed Andrew (Mr. Jinx) "Oh, we have a guest?" he asked, he sounded friendly. The lady nodded and said "Yes, this is Andrew" she then looked over towards Andrew (Mr. Jinx) and gestured for him to come over, he took a deep breath to calm himself, then stood up and walked over. The husband chuckled and held out a hand for a handshake, "Pleasure meeting you Andrew" he said in a friendly manner,
"Likewise" Andrew (Mr.jinx) said as he shook the husbands hand and Melody walks up to them but they didn't noticed until she peeks her head out from behind Andrew (Mr.Jinx) and she smiles, The husband chuckled and looked down upon seeing Melody and said "Oh, and who's this little one?" He said in an amused tone as he crouched down to her level. The wife looked down upon hearing and saw Melody, she smiled warmly at the sight of her. Melody grinned up at the husband, she was quite social "I'm Melody!" She said with an excited smile. The husband chuckled again, clearly happy to make her acquaintance "And what a nice name you have" he said. The wife, crouched down beside her husband and also looked at Melody, smiling down at her, her expression was a mixture of motherly and amused, While the husband and wife conversed with Melody, Andrew (Mr. Jinx) stood by, watching the interaction. He was still nervous from the previous conversation but he tried not to let it show.
The husband looked up at Andrew (Mr.Jinx) and smiled "She's full of energy, huh?" he said in an amused tone, "She's a lovely little girl" The wife was still crouched down beside her husband, she nodded in agreement, Andrew (Mr. Jinx) chuckled awkwardly in response to the comment and said "Yeah, she is" the husband could sense something strange about Andrews awkward behavior but he didn't think much of it, he just thought he was awkward around new people. He said "You wouldn't mind if I picked her up?", Andrew (Mr. Jinx) was a bit taken off guard but he nodded. "Uh, yeah, go right ahead" he said, trying his best to smile, the husband smiled back and picked Melody up, gently lifting her off the ground. Melody just got a big smile, being happy to be picked up, The husband chuckled as he held Melody, she was actually pretty light, he said "She's very light, lighter than I expected" his wife hummed in agreement, amused at how light Melody was, "How old is she anyways?" The husband asked, still holding Melody as if she weighed as much as a feather. Melody was gleefully enjoying being picked up, giggling happily, clearly not paying any attention to the conversation. Andrew (Mr. Jinx) was a bit nervous with that question, he swallowed a bit and said "She's five" the husband hummed in thought for a moment and said "That's really surprising, I would have guessed younger" the wife hummed in agreement, The wife, who was still crouching, stood up and said "Yes, I would've guessed she was four at most" she then looked over at Melody and patted her head, chuckling as she did so. While they were distracted Andrew (Mr.Jinx) looks at Cynthia from the corner of his eye and she was watching the whole thing go down and Cynthia could see Andrew (Mr.Jinx) panicked slightly but he had it hidden under his natural expression and he gave her a "you got to be kidding me" look as he stood there with his hands behind his back, Cynthia could see the panic in Andrew (Mr. Jinx)'s eyes, she could tell he was silently screaming on the inside, she tried to hold back a chuckle as she gave him a slight cheeky smirk from across the room, Andrew (Mr. Jinx) gave Cynthia a look of "don't you dare laugh," but that went ignored by her as that only made her want to laugh even more. He was silently cursing for the whole situation that was unfolding before him. The wife chuckled and nodded, then added "And has a wonderful personality as well" the husband hummed in agreement, then he looked directly at Andrew (Mr. Jinx) and said "You must be a very lucky father", Andrew (Mr. Jinx) chuckled anxiously upon the husband's comment, he could feel his heart beating through his chest again from the panic within him, he really hoped that no one could tell but he tried to respond in the most normal way possible by saying "Ah, yeah, I guess I am". After a moment of silence went by Andrew (Mr.jinx)'s phone went off with a notification and Andrew (Mr.Jinx) took out his phone which was in a rich and royal red phone case and he checked the notification hoping it'll give him a excuse to get Melody and leave, Cynthia could see Andrew (Mr. Jinx) checking his phone, she was silently wondering what excuse he could've been sent this time, she tried her best to read the message but was too far away to see. Meanwhile, the husband and wife couldn't see the message on his phone, but they did notice him checking his phone, the husband turned to look at Andrew (Mr. Jinx) and said "Someone texting you?"
"Ah yes it's just my boss checking in if I'll be clocking in" replied Andrew (Mr.Jinx) and he looks at Melody and said "come on Melody we have a long way to go until we reach the house and we might get ice cream on the way home" in a cheerful manner. The mention of ice cream piqued Melody's interest, she was always up for a sweet treat. "Ice cream! Yay!" She exclaimed excitedly as she reached her arms out towards Andrew (Mr. Jinx), wanting him to hold her again. The husband chuckled at her excitement and said "She really loves sweet treats", The wife chuckled as well at Melody's excitement, she said "Looks like you'll be getting some ice cream soon" she then glanced over at Andrew (Mr. Jinx), she didn't want to let the conversation die down, so she said "So.. May I ask where you work?", Andrew (Mr. Jinx) was already holding Melody again, he looked at the wife and froze up a bit, he had never planned an excuse in advance for a question like that, he quickly tried to come up with a simple answer "Oh, I, uh- I work a-at a local restaurant" he stuttered out, he was nervous, knowing the wife would likely respond with another question, The wife smiled kindly and said "Oh that's nice" she then thought for a moment and said, "Which restaurant do you work at, if you don't mind me asking" the husband just stood there silently, he was listening to the conversation but wasn't adding any commentary, Andrew (Mr. Jinx) began to sweat nervously, he wasn't prepared for a question like that, he began to get desperate as he tried to think of a good excuse, his heart started beating through his chest, he stuttered out an answer "Uh, you-you wouldn't k-know it, its a, uh, a, small place", The wife looked at him skeptically, she was starting to sense his suspicious behavior "What's the name of the place then?" She asked the question with such a calm manner it sent chills up Andrew (Mr. Jinx)'s spine, Andrew (Mr. Jinx) was becoming more and more panicked, he knew the wife wasn't going to leave him alone unless he gave a straight answer. He swallowed hard and tried to maintain a calm composure as he answered "It's called..." he thought for a moment, then blurted out the first name that came to mind "It's called, um, The Blue Bell Inn", that was actually a place Mr. Jinx saw while making his way to Cynthia's house in the morning with Melody so this gave a perfect cover up for the excuse and Andrew (Mr.Jinx) got ready to go with Melody. The wife nodded in understanding as Andrew (Mr. Jinx) answered, "The Blue Bell Inn" the husband chuckled "Oh, I think I've heard of that place before" he said with a smile. Cynthia could see what was happening from across the room, she was silently watching with a sly smirk on her face, seeing Andrew (Mr.Jinx) try to maintain his composure. The wife didn't question any further, it seemed like she was satisfied with the answer she got. She looked over at Melody, who was still in the arms of Andrew (Mr. Jinx) "Looks like she really wants that ice cream, huh?" she chuckled and patted Melody's hair. The husband chuckled as well and said, "You should probably get going then", Andrew (Mr. Jinx) nodded in agreement, grateful that the wife didn't ask any further questions. He said, trying to appear calm "Yeah, we really should get going" he slowly began to turn towards the door with Melody still held in his arms, The wife smiled at them as they started to head to the door, she said "Okay, it was nice meeting you Andrew" The husband nodded in agreement and said "Yeah, and it was nice meeting little Melody as well" he smiled down at Melody who just smiled back, Andrew (Mr. Jinx) tried to smile as naturally as possible, but it was clear that his nerves were still on edge. He said "Yeah, it was nice meeting you both" he then opened the door and stepped outside, Melody waving by as they left. The couple waved back and said their goodbyes, the wife shouted from the door "Bye, have a good day" Andrew (Mr. Jinx) raised his hand and shouted back "Thanks, you too" he then closed the door and exhaled a sigh if relief, now that he was out in the fresh air again. Melody looked up at him, completely oblivious to the entire situation that had just unfolded, Andrew (Mr. Jinx) looked down at Melody and chuckled, trying to push away the lingering feeling of nerves that still had a small grasp on him. He said, with a bit of relief in his voice "Well, you sure were excited for that ice cream, huh?". Melody giggled in response and said "Yeah, I want ice cream!" she had her usual cheerful and excited expression on her face, still blissfully unaware of the just happened. She then looked directly at Andrew (Mr. Jinx) and tugged in his arms "Can we go get ice cream now?". Andrew (Mr. Jinx)  just smiles and nods yes and they walk to a secluded area and appear back to their home realm "the entertainment arc" and since Mr. Jinx had no use for his human form he turned back to his original form and so did Melody
Once they arrived back in their realm, andrew (Mr. Jinx) and Melody had already took on their original forms. Mr.Jinx looked around to make sure there wasn't anyone nearby, then chuckled a little and said "Quite the adventure, huh?", Melody nodded eagerly, her eyes shining with excitement "Yeah! It was fun!" she said with her usual cheerful attitude. She then looked up at Mr. Jinx and said, "But I still want ice cream!". Mr. Jinx chuckled, amused by her enthusiasm "Of course you do" he said with a small smile. He then patted her head and said, "Alright, alright, we'll go get some ice cream", Melody's face lit up with excitement again and she jumped up and down excitedly "Yay! Ice cream!" she exclaimed. She was practically bouncing off the walls in excitement, still full of energy, Mr.Jinx chuckled again, amused by her boundless energy "Calm down, we'll get there soon" he said, trying to calm her down a bit. He then reached out and took her hand to make sure she didn't run off in her excitement. Melody calmed down a bit but still couldn't contain her excitement, she held onto Mr. Jinx's hand tightly and they began walking towards the nearest shop where they could get some ice cream. Melody was still chattering away excitedly the entire time, Mr.Jinx listened to her chatter, chuckling at her infectious excitement. As they walked, he scanned the area for any potential threats, it was his natural habit. He was also thinking about what had just happened, he couldn't help but be relieved that they had manage to get out of that situation without raising too much suspicion. Finally, they reached the nearest ice cream shop, and Melody's eyes grew wide with excitement, her nose already recognizing the sweet aroma of the ice cream. She looked up at Mr. Jinx, her eyes pleading for permission to run ahead. As soon as they both entered the ice ream shop they heard a voice coming from behind them, Mr.Jinx looks behind them and sees who it was, the voice caught Mr. Jinx's attention, he turned to look in the direction it came from, while also still holding Melody's hand. As he saw who it was, a mix of surprise and curiosity flashed across his face. The voice belonged to Xabi, Mr. Jinx's friend and coworker. Xabi was standing at the entrance of the shop, smiling at them. She said, with a hint of amusement in his voice "Well, fancy running into you two here", Mr.Jinx smiled and chuckled, "Yeah, I could say the same for you" he said, still somewhat surprised by the unexpected encounter. Melody, meanwhile, had perked up upon seeing Xabi, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Xabi walked over to them, still wearing her usual easygoing expression. She looked down at Melody and said, "And how are you doing, young lady?" Melody, not at all fazed by Xabi's presence, smiled widely and replied, "I'm good! I'm getting ice cream!" Xabi chuckled at her response, amused by her enthusiasm. Mr.Jinx patted Melody's head and said, "Yes, this one over here has been quite eager for some ice cream" he chuckled, clearly amused by Melody's excitement. Xabi chuckled as well and said, "I can tell. She's practically bouncing off the walls", Mr.Jinx laughed in agreement, "Yeah, she's been like that ever since I mentioned the word 'ice cream'" he said, still patting Melody's head. Melody, meanwhile, was looking back and forth between Mr.Jinx and Xabi, clearly enjoying the interaction. Xabi smiled at Melody's excitement and said, "Well, you two are in luck. This place has the best ice cream in town" Mr. Jinx chuckled and said, "Is that so? Well, I guess we'll have to test that out", Melody tugged on Mr. Jinx's hand and looked up at him with a hopeful expression. She said, "Can I get ice cream now?" Mr. Jinx chuckled at her impatience and ruffled her hair. He said, "Yes, yes, you can get ice cream now", Melody tugged on Mr. Jinx's hand and looked up at him with a hopeful expression. She said, "Can I get ice cream now?" Mr. Jinx chuckled at her impatience and ruffled her hair. He said, "Yes, yes, you can get ice cream now", Melody's face lit up with excitement, she was finally getting her hands on some ice cream. However, Xabi suddenly spoke up, with a mischievous smile on her face. She said, "Actually, I have a little suggestion". Mr.Jinx raised an eyebrow, curious about what Xabi had in mind. He said, "Oh? What kind of suggestion?", Xabi smirked mischievously and said, "Well, instead of just getting regular ice cream, why not try the special ice cream flavor they have today?". Mr.Jinx was intrigued, he asked curiously, "Special ice cream flavor? What's the flavor?" Melody, who was still holding onto Mr. Jinx's hand, was also listening intently. Xabi smiled and leaned in closer, as if she was about to reveal a secret. She said, "It's a surprise flavor, they only have it for today" Mr. Jinx chuckled, this time amused by Xabi's antics. He said, "A surprise flavor, huh? Sounds intriguing",
Melody, who was still quite excited, couldn't contain her curiosity and said, "I want the surprise flavor!" Mr. Jinx chuckled again, finding Melody's enthusiasm endearing. He said, "Alright, alright, looks like we'll be getting the mystery flavor".
Xabi smirked, clearly pleased with the decision. She said, "Excellent choice, I promise you won't be disappointed" Mr. Jinx chuckled and said, "We'll hold you to that promise", Xabi chuckled and gave them a wink. She said, "Oh, you can count on it" Melody, meanwhile, was still holding onto Mr. Jinx's hand tighter, clearly excited to try the special ice cream. Mr. Jinx, on the other hand, was still curious about what the surprise flavor could be. Mr.Jinx turned to the counter and asked the ice cream shop worker, "We'll have the special surprise flavor please" The worker nodded and said, "Coming right up" Mr. Jinx turned back to Xabi and said, "So, are you joining us for a scoop as well?". Xabi chuckled and shook her head. She said, "No thanks, I already had my fill earlier" Mr. Jinx shrugged and said, "Suit yourself" Melody, who was still holding on to Mr. Jinx's hand, was looking up at the worker, waiting impatiently for the special flavor ice cream. After a few minutes, the worker came back with two waffle cones loaded with the special flavor ice cream. Melody's eyes widened with excitement as she looked at the cone in front of her, and Mr. Jinx couldn't help but be amused. Mr.Jinx thanked the worker and looked down at Melody, "Well, here we go". Melody, without hesitation, took a bite of the ice cream and her eyes widened even more. She exclaimed, "Mmmmmm!!!" clearly enjoying the flavor. Mr. jinx chuckled at her reaction and tried a bite himself. Mr.Jinx took a bite and his eyebrows raised in surprise, the flavor was delicious and different from anything he had ever tasted before. Xabi smirked, clearly amused by Mr. Jinx and Melody's reactions. She said, "What did I tell you? Pretty good, isn't it?" Mr. Jinx chuckled, still savoring the special flavor. He said, "Yeah, I have to admit, it's pretty damn good", Melody, meanwhile, was devouring her ice cream cone with unabashed delight. She exclaimed, "This is the best ice cream ever!", Mr.Jinx chuckled again, watching Melody devour the ice cream. He said, "Slow down there, little one. You'll get a brain freeze" Melody, not heeding his warning, continued to eat her ice cream with gusto, Xabi chuckled at Melody's enthusiastic eating, she said, "It seems like someone's really enjoying her dessert".
Mr.Jinx nodded in agreement, "Yes, I think it's safe to say she approves of the special flavor" he said, still watching Melody devouring her cone. He ate his own cone in a much more leisurely pace, savoring each bite. Melody, with her face slightly covered in ice cream, said with a full mouth, "This is so good!" She seemed completely unphased by the mess on her face. Xabi chuckled again at Melody's ice cream-covered face, she said, "Looks like someone needs a napkin" Mr. Jinx laughed, amused by Melody's messy eating. He reached into his pocket for a napkin and said, "Yes, I agree", He gently wiped the ice cream mess off Melody's face, causing her to giggle, still holding onto her cone. Melody, now with her face clean, continued eating her ice cream. Mr. Jinx smiled and continued to eat his own cone. After a moment, he turned to Xabi and said, "So, what brings you to this ice cream shop today?",  Xabi leaned against the wall, still smiling mischievously. She said, "Oh, I just had a craving for ice cream. I heard they were serving something special today, so I thought I'd check it out." Mr. Jinx chuckled, not entirely buying her excuse. "Is that so?" he said, "I figured there might be more to it". Xabi's smile widened, clearly enjoying the fact that Mr. Jinx was onto her. She said, "And what makes you think that?" Mr. Jinx chuckled, "Oh come on, you always have a hidden agenda behind your actions" Xabi laughed, amused by his observation. "You know me too well" she said. Mr.Jinx gave her a sceptical yet playfully look as he said "oh really?, haven't we just met last night when Mr.Zico secretly hired me and I ended up with this little one" in a playful tone as he held up Melody who was munching away on her waffle cone. Xabi chuckled at Mr. Jinx's comment, clearly enjoying the banter. She said, "Heh, fair enough. I guess we did just meet last night, but you already know my reputation", She then looked at Melody, who was still eating her ice cream, and smiled. "And that little one is adorable, by the way". Mr.Jinx smiled, still holding Melody. He said, "Yes, she is. And she can be quite a handful too" Melody, still munching on her cone, looked up at Xabi and gave her a messy smile. Xabi chuckled in response, Mr.Jinx chuckled as well at Melody's messy smile, then he said, "Speaking of which, I'm surprised you knew where to find us. Last I checked, this ice cream shop wasn't on your usual routine",
Xabi chuckled, and leaned against the table, crossing her arms. "Well, I may not be as predictable as you think. I have a few tricks up my sleeve as well" She said, with a playful smirk. Looking at Melody, Xabi gave her a playful wink, and said, "And it seems like someone has quite the sweet tooth.", Mr.Jinx chuckled, giving Melody a gentle pat on the head. "Oh, you have no idea. She can eat her weight in ice cream and still want more.", Meanwhile, Melody finished the last of her ice cream, and then looked up at Xabi with wide, innocent eyes. She then held up her now empty cone, and said, "More please",  Xabi puts a hand to heart and let's out a "awwww" as Mr.Jinx picks up Melody and shook his head "no" playfully and Melody pouts but cheers up because she found of the cone was edible, Xabi couldn't help but laugh at Melody's cute pout, and then chuckled as she saw Melody realize the cone was edible. Xabi looked at Mr. Jinx with a smirk and said, "Looks like you've got a little foodie on your hands there". Mr.Jinx chuckled, shaking his head. "You have no idea. This little one will try to eat anything that remotely looks like food, edible or not", He looked down at Melody, who was happily gnawing on the ice cream cone. Mr. Jinx smiled, and said, "She even tried to eat a plastic bag once on the way here, thinking it was a bag of snacks", Xabi laughed at Mr. Jinx's story, clearly entertained by Melody's antics. "A plastic bag? Sounds like she has a taste for the gourmet", She then chuckled, and said, "You know, she's not the only one with an appetite for anything. I have a friend who once tried to eat a raw potato thinking it was a apple.". Mr.Jinx chuckled at Xabi's story, a bit surprised. "A raw potato for an apple? Now that's a mistake.", He looked at Melody, who was still gnawing on the ice cream cone and said, "At least Melody's food-related mishaps make more sense", Xabi nodded in agreement, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "True. Children will be children. But raw potatoes as apples? That's a whole other level.", She glanced at Melody, who was blissfully unaware of their conversation, and chuckled. "Looks like Melody is enjoying her cone",  Mr. Jinx smiled, watching Melody happily munch on her cone. "Yes, she is. She loves ice cream probably more than anything in the world" He then joked, "Honestly, I'm starting to think it's her primary food group". Xabi chuckled, shaking her head. "Can't blame her. Ice cream is pretty great.", She then smiled, looking at Melody. "Speaking of her, how old is she? She looks adorable, but I can't quite tell her age". "She's months five I think, you know how we age differently then how humans say we do" said Mr Jinx as Melody finished eating the cone and was ready for a nap. Xabi nods, understanding the age difference. She then watches as Melody finishes her cone and yawns, clearly in need of a nap. Xabi smiles at the sight and says, "She looks a bit tired. Is she often sleepy like this?", Mr.Jinx nods, looking at Melody with a weary expression. "Yes, she's quite prone to naps. Even though sometimes they happen at the most unexpected times", He then chuckled, patting Melody on the head. "I swear, this little one can fall asleep anywhere", Xabi chuckled as well, imagining Melody falling asleep in random places. "That must be quite the challenge sometimes" She then looked at Melody who was already blinking sleepily, struggling to keep her eyes open. Mr.Jinx nodded, noticing Melody's struggle to stay awake. "Yes, it can be a bit challenging. But it's also quite adorable. There's nothing cuter than a sleepy little one, especially when they fall asleep in odd positions", Xabi agreed, smiling at the image of a drowsy, sleepy Melody. "She really is absolutely adorable, like a little angel". She glanced at Melody, who was now starting to fight off a yawn, and said, "It looks like she might soon be out cold", Mr.Jinx chuckled softly, watching Melody's futile attempt to keep awake. "Yes, it seems like it. She always tries to stay up as long as possible, but sleep always wins in the end", Xabi smiled, finding Melody's stubborn resistance to sleep endearing. "I guess she really doesn't want to miss out on anything" She watched as Melody's eyelids drooped even further, clearly losing the battle against sleep, Mr.Jinx chuckled again, gently patting Melody's head. "Yes, she definitely does not want to miss out. But sometimes, it's just too late", As Mr.Jinx spoke, Melody's eyes closed completely, and her body went limp, signaling that she had succumbed to sleep. Mr.Jinx picks up Melody and sighs knowing it'll be a easy trip home and Xabi smiled and just talked to the person behind the counter since from what Mr. Jinx could understand they know each other. Xabi continued chatting with the person behind the counter, occasionally glancing at the now sleeping Melody in Mr. Jinx' arms. The attendant at the counter chuckled and asked, "Looks like someone's all tuckered out", Mr.Jinx chuckled and nodded, adjusting Melody in his arms. "Yes, she's quite the sleepyhead. Once she falls asleep, nothing can wake her up. And I'm sure we'll have a nice, quiet trip home now", Xabi chuckled and said, "I have no doubt. A sleepy child ensures a peaceful ride", She looked at Melody, whose peaceful expression made her smile again. She then said to Mr. Jinx, "She's genuinely adorable". Mr.Jinx smiled, his eyes softened as he looked down at Melody. "Yes, she is. She has her moments when she can be quite a handful, but when she's sleeping like this, it's hard to stay mad at her", He gently adjusted Melody's position in his arms, making sure she was comfortable. Xabi nods and watched as Mr.Jinx got ready to head home for the night, as mr.Jinx walks Melody was still asleep and that was a relief because Mr.Jinx would had gone crazy if Melody was awake and squirming around in his arms but before Mr.Jinx could think more on that thought he and Melody were already home. Mr.Jinx carried Melody into his home, carefully maneuvering around furniture and obstacles. He felt a sense of relief when he saw that Melody was still asleep, not wanting to deal with her active energy right now. Once inside, he gently laid Melody down in her crib like box, making sure she was comfortable. He then quietly sat down on the chair nearby, just watching her sleep peacefully, Mr.Jinx smiled as he watched Melody sleep, her tiny body rising and falling with each breath she took. He sat silently in the chair for a while, basking in the tranquility of the moment. Eventually, he got up and quietly left the room, making sure not to disturb Melody's sleep. As he walked away, he couldn't help but feel a sense of paternal pride. A voice on the other end of the line spoke in a playful tone, "Hey, long time no see", Mr.Jinx chuckled, recognizing the voice immediately. "Oh, Mr. Zico, what a pleasant surprise",Mr Zico chuckled on the other end of the line, sounding amused. "Is that sarcasm I hear in your voice?",Mr. Jinx smirked, "Maybe a little" he said, knowing Mr Zico could be annoying at times, but still considered him a friend and Mr Zico chuckled as he said "not surprised" in a cheerful tone. Mr.Jinx rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile. "So, what's the reason for this call? You don't usually ring me at this hour unless you need something", Zico chuckled again, his tone becoming more serious. "Actually, I do have a reason. I need to ask a favor.", Mr. Jinx raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "A favor, huh? What sort of favor do you need?". Mr Zico answered, "Well, it's not a big favor, but it's important none the less",Mr. Jinx nodded, still listening. "Okay, I'm listening. What's the favor?", he replied, feeling a bit skeptical but willing to hear Mr Zico out, Mr Zico chuckled again, but this time his tone sounded a bit more serious. "well, I'm in a bit of a tight spot and I need a place to stay for a few days", this made Mr. Jinx surprised but he cleared up his throat and said "well I do have a guest room in my house that's currently available but it's not much since I live in a small house" in a calm yet genuine tone. Mr Zico let out a sigh of relief, expressing his gratitude. "Oh, that's a lifesaver. Thanks, I owe you one." There was a pause before Mr Zico spoke again, his tone becoming more cheeky. "But hey, I hope you know how to be a good host", this comment made Mr.Jinx chuckle and he got up from where he was and walks over to the guest room he mentioned to Mr.Zico and opened the door and saw it was ready to be used Mr. Zico (who was still in the call) gave a thank you to Mr.Jinx and hanged up the call leaving Mr.Jinx alone, he looks down on his phone and turned it off so he could get ready for bed himself. Mr.Jinx chuckled to himself, shaking his head at Mr. Zico's cheeky comment. He closed the door to the guest room, confident that he had done enough to prepare for his unexpected guest. He made his way to his own room, feeling the exhaustion of the day start to sink in. As he changed into more comfortable clothes for bed, he let out a small yawn and laid down, feeling tiredness wash over him.
He closed his eyes and allowed himself to relax, his thoughts slowly fading away as he felt himself drifting off to sleep. Despite the surprise of having Mr. Zico staying over, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction, knowing he had helped a friend in need. As he slowly descended into a state of rest, he didn't realize that the night still had a few surprises in store for him, now that Mr.Jinx was fully asleep he didn't noticed the hooded figure was outside his window watching him sleep,
The figure observed Mr. Jinx through the window, their gaze fixated on him. They watched as he slept peacefully, unaware of their presence. The figure remained still, waiting patiently, their intentions shrouded in mystery, Mr Jinx remained blissfully unaware of the figure watching him through the window. He continued to sleep, his breathing steady and even. Meanwhile, the figure outside the window continued to watch, their expression hidden by the shadows of the night. They seemed to be contemplating something, their gaze unwavering, The figure finally moved from their position at the window, their movements quiet and stealthy. They carefully made their way around the house, attempting to find a way in. Meanwhile, inside the house, Mr. Jinx slept on, completely oblivious to the intruder trying to enter. The figure reached a door and tried the handle, finding it unlocked. They slowly pushed the door open, revealing the darkened hallway of Mr. Jinx's home. They cautiously stepped inside, their footsteps silent and deliberate. The figure moved stealthily through the house, as if they knew exactly where they were going. The figure passed by Melody's room and Melody was still asleep in her crib like box,
The figure paused for a moment, their gaze falling upon Melody's sleeping figure. They seemed to take a moment to observe her, assessing whether she posed any threat or hindrance to their mission. After a brief moment, the figure continued on, moving quietly and swiftly towards where they believed Mr. Jinx was sleeping. The figure reached the door to Mr. Jinx's room, the only sound being their soft, measured breathing as they stood outside the door. They listened intently, trying to determine if Mr. Jinx was awake or asleep. After a few moments, they slowly, silently pushed the door open, revealing Mr. Jinx's sleeping form on the bed in front of them, The figure stepped inside the room, their movements as silent as a shadow. They approached the bed, their intentions unknown. Mr. Jinx slept on, still blissfully unaware of the intruder standing over him. The figure looked down at him, studying his sleeping form for a moment. The figure stood over Mr. Jinx, their presence ominous and unnerving. They seemed to be contemplating their next move. After a few moments of silence, the figure spoke, their voice a low, raspy whisper that sent a shiver down the spine. "Wake up" and Mr. Jinx woke up immediately and got his pillow just in case he had to defend himself which was reasonable, The figure seemed to take pleasure in Mr. Jinx's reaction, a small, amused smile appearing on their face. "Ah, you're awake. Good.". The figure's voice was still just a low whisper, but the sinister undertone was unmistakable. and before the figure could say anything else the pillow hits their face and Mr. Jinx said "listen here buckaroo I don't know what you want or how the hell you got in my house but whatever you want, wait til the damn morning" in a annoyed tone and the figure rubbed their face that was still covered by the cloak they had on. The figure let out a small grunt of surprise as the pillow hit their face. They took a step back, rubbing their face where they had been hit. Despite the initial surprise, they seemed unfazed, almost amused. They chuckled softly under their breath, their voice still a whisper. "Feisty, aren't you? I didn't expect such a reaction..". Mr.Jinx sat up on his bed, still gripping the pillow defensively. He scowled at the figure, his irritation evident in his voice. "Damn right I'm feisty. You broke into my house in the middle of the damn night. What the hell do you want?".
The figure chuckled again, their voice taking on a more mocking tone. "Oh, feisty and mouthy. This should be fun.". They took a step closer to the bed, their hood concealing their face. "What do I want? Let's just say I have a proposition for you.", this made Mr. Jinx flat out annoyed because he was woken up by a stranger entity that he doesn't even know just for a proposition, it was late as hell and Mr. Jinx wasn't about to do all this for just a few words and he suddenly said "well make it quickly before I decide to throw you out of my house like a damn trashbag" in irritation. The figure chuckled again, clearly enjoying Mr. Jinx's irritableness. They paused for a moment, letting the tension build before speaking. "You have quite the fire in you, I'll give you that. But I assure you, my proposition is one you won't want to refuse.". Mr.Jinx, still holding the pillow, looked at the figure skeptically. "And if I do refuse?", The figure took another step closer, closing the distance between them and Mr. Jinx. They leaned in, their voice still a whisper but with a hint of menace. "If you refuse, let's just say things won't be so pleasant for you.". Mr. Jinx's grip on the pillow tightened, but his expression remained defiant. "That sounds like a threat." Mr. Jinx said through gritted teeth and her puts the pillow between him and the figure to keep the personal space there (which was close to none) and Yhe figure chuckled which tempted Mr. Jinx to just.... 'Slap them across the face with the pillow he had in his hand' but he held himself back from doing so. The figure noticed Mr. Jinx's internal struggle to resist giving them a good slap with the pillow. Their grin widened under their hood. They chuckled again, enjoying the power they held in this moment. "Oh, you're tempted, aren't you? Go ahead, give in to the urge. Let's see if you have the guts.".
Mr.Jinx smiles but deep down inside he was mad as hell and he just replied with "you do realize that you're in a single father's house right" before slapping the hell out of the figure without hesitation and it was well received because it was 12:09pm (late.as.hell.outside) and technology Mr. Jinx was talking to a intruder (The Figure) that broke in his house and that alone is enough to make Mr. Jinx annoyed but he would be more annoyed if the figure did something to Melody (which didn't happen thankfully) but the slap was still well deserved. The figure was taken completely by surprise as the pillow met their face with a loud smack. They stumbled back, their hood falling slightly out of place, but they quickly regained their composure. They took a deep breath and rubbed their face - still behind the hood - they were quiet for a moment before speaking in a quiet, annoyed voice. “You hit hard for a single father...”. Mr. Jinx smirked, his irritation still evident. “Well, I've had my fair share of practice. Comes with the territory when you're a single parent, especially when dealing with the occasional intruder." He responded, his voice dripping with sarcasm. The figure scowled under their hood, clearly annoyed by Mr. Jinx's response. They straightened up, trying to regain their composure. "You're a sassy one, I'll give you that. But let's not forget, I'm not here to be smacked with a pillow. I have a proposition for you, and I'd like to discuss it without any... distractions.". Mr. Jinx said "well spill it out because it is 12pm and I would much rather be sleeping right now" in annoyance. The figure let out a low growl, but they saw Mr. Jinx's point. They took a moment to collect their thoughts before speaking. "Alright, I'll give you the gist of it. I have a... need for your skills, if you will.", Mr. Jinx raised an eyebrow, skeptically looking at the figure. "Skills? What kind of skills?". The figure chuckled, a sense of darkness in their voice. "Skills that only you possess. I've been watching you for some time now, observing your abilities and your... unique nature.", Mr. Jinx shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of the figure's gaze upon him. "You've been watching me? That's a bit creepy, don't you think?". The figure waved a dismissive hand. "Perhaps, but irrelevant. What matters is that I believe your skills would be very useful to a... project I'm working on.", Mr. Jinx narrowed his eyes, cautious. "What kind of project? And why me specifically? Why not someone else?", The figure chuckled again, a hint of menace in their voice. "Ah, that's where things get interesting. You see, I have my reasons for choosing you. Your particular talents and abilities are... rare. And, let's just say, the less questions you ask, the better.". Mr. Jinx was taken aback by the figure's cryptic response. "So, you're asking me to just blindly trust you?. Yeah no...you did broke in my house and admited that you were stalking me so that's a heavy no for me". The figure's demeanor shifted, a hint of irritation in their voice. "You're not making this easy, are you? Very well then, perhaps a bit of leverage will help convince you." They stepped closer once more, their presence once again becoming more intimidating. They leaned in close, their hooded face mere inches from Mr. Jinx's. "Let's just say, if you refuse to cooperate, things won't be so pleasant for you or that precious little one of yours." Mr. Jinx's expression darkened at the thinly veiled threat to Melody. Mr.Jinx was annoyed and his eyes narrowed and he said "watch your tone" in annoyed and his shadow grins darkly knowing it was most probably going to get a meal (a midnight snack if you will) and The figure saw the hint of danger in Mr. Jinx's white pupils. The figure's gaze flicked from Mr. Jinx's eyes to his shadow, realizing that they were dealing with someone who was not to be underestimated. They took a step back, their voice now tinged with caution.
They chuckled softly, keeping their face hidden. "Oh, I see we have a bit of a protective father here. How admirable.",
The figure seemed to study Mr. Jinx for a moment, their eyes darting between him and his shadow, considering their next words. They paused, then suddenly changed the subject. "Anyway, let's focus on the matter at hand. You have a choice, Mr. Jinx. Help me, and I'll ensure your safety and that of your.. little one. But if you refuse, well...let's just say things might get messy.", Mr.jinx held out his hand (not for a handshake but a contract recap paper) a paper burns to existence and Mr. Jinx reads it over to the figure's proposal and it had all the hidden details that were needed to be noted. The figure watched as the paper suddenly manifested, their eyes widening in surprise. They knew Mr. Jinx was unique, but this was something else entirely. They looked at the paper as Mr. Jinx read it over, their expression hidden under their hood. They were slightly taken aback by the level of detail in the agreement but they did mention that they had been watching him for a while. After a moment, the figure chuckled softly, their voice betraying a hint of amusement. "You're a smart one, aren't you? I underestimated you, Mr. Jinx." They folded their arms, thinking for a moment. As Mr. Jinx reads the paper that had the details and hidden stuff the figure felt as though Mr. Jinx's shadow wanted him dead on a silver platter, The figure couldn't help but feel a hint of unease at the menacing aura emanating from Mr. Jinx's shadow. Despite the dark energy, they kept their expression hidden and their voice controlled, feigning confidence. They looked at the paper once more before speaking. "I see you've read through the terms. Everything is in order, but there is one caveat I must mention." They paused, watching Mr. Jinx's reaction closely. The room fell quiet for a moment as the figure waited for Mr. Jinx's reaction. Their eyes darted between him and his shadow, trying to gauge his thoughts and emotions.
The figure took a deep breath before continuing. "There's one more thing I need to tell you, something that may change your decision." They leaned in slightly, their voice lowered to a hushed whisper. "The project I'm working on... It's not exactly legal. Are you still willing to help me, knowing that?", Mr. Jinx looks up to the figure and said " you're a idiot you know that?, I know how to make things legally accepted so it's not much of a issue" in a dull tone and Mr. Jinx's shadow floats over to the desk and hits a jell pen and it flew across the room and Mr.Jinx caught it without looking, The figure was caught off guard by Mr. Jinx's calm response and his unexpected display of dexterity. They chuckled again, their voice containing a hint of surprise and admiration. They shook their head slightly, their hood shifting with the movement. "Well then, I must hand it to you. You're full of surprises. I guess it's a good thing I came to you, huh?" They leaned against the wall, crossing their arms in a casual manner. The figure's gaze flicked to Mr. Jinx's shadow, watching it float back to his side. They couldn't shake the feeling that they were dealing with someone far more powerful than they had initially anticipated.
They let out a small sigh. "Very well then. If legality is not an issue for you, then all that's left is the matter of payment. What do you want in return for your assistance?".
Mr. Jinx thought for a moment, his eyes studying the figure carefully. He knew he had leverage in this situation, and he intended to use it to get what he wanted.
He set the jell pen down, his gaze never leaving the figure. "Payment, hm? I want a few things. First, I want assurance that Melody won't be harmed by any of this. And second...your soul", The figure's eyes widened in surprise. They had expected Mr. Jinx to ask for something in return, but they hadn't anticipated something like that. They stared at him for a moment, trying to process his request. "My... soul? You're asking for my soul in return for your services? How cliché.". Mr.Jinx chuckled darkly as he said "well this isn't my first contract so..... Do we have a deal?". The figure paused, their mind racing. Losing their soul was a high price to pay, but the project they were working on was of vital importance. They took a deep breath, trying to hide their unease behind a neutral expression. They stared at Mr. Jinx for a moment before replying. "You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Jinx. But I suppose I have no choice but to agree if I want your cooperation. Very well then. You have yourself a deal." They extended a gloved hand towards him. Mr.Jinx looked at the figure, his gaze still intense. He could sense the unease in the figure's voice and the slight tremble in their outstretched hand. He smirked, a hint of dark satisfaction in his features. "Good, we have an agreement." He reached out and grasped the figure's hand, sealing the deal with a firm shake. As Mr. Jinx shook the figure's hand, a strange feeling washed over them. The sensation was like a chill running down their spine, followed by a feeling of dread. They could feel the weight of the agreement settling between them, and they knew that there was no turning back. The figure withdrew their hand, their eyes narrowing as they looked at Mr. Jinx. "So, it's settled then. What.
now?". Mr.Jinx stood up from the bed, a cold smile on his face. He stretched his arms above his head, cracking his joints. "Now, it's time to get to work. What is this 'project' that you need my help with, exactly?". The figure chuckled, their tone amused. "Very well, let's get down to business. You've probably already guessed, but I'm looking to infiltrate a casino. A very important and highly secured one, actually." They leaned against the wall, crossing their arms. They continued, "I need your skills to help me get inside, bypass all the security measures, and get the information I need. Can you do that? ", Mr.Jinx raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by the figure's request. "A casino, huh? Sounds like a piece of cake for me. But something tells me there's more to it than just that. What kind of information are we talking about, exactly?", The figure chuckled again, a hint of wickedness in their voice. "Ah, straight to the point, I see. I suppose there's no harm in telling you now that we have a deal. The information I need is... sensitive. It's a combination of several things, actually. The security measures, the layouts of the building, locations, guard rotations, access codes, all of that and more. Can you handle it? ", Mr.Jinx smirked, a hint of challenge in his eyes. "I can handle anything you throw at me. Casino security? Child's play, especially for someone like me. Just give me the details of the place and I'll have everything you need.". The figure looked pleased with Mr. Jinx's response. "Excellent. As expected from someone like you. The casino's name is 'The Emerald Oasis'. It's a high-end, very exclusive place, only for the rich and influential. I'm sure a lowly entity like you would have never set foot in a place like that before.", Mr.Jinx glares at the figure and asked "you paying to get to the town where that's from or am I going to have to work double because of this" in sarcasm. The figure chuckled, unfazed by Mr. Jinx's glare. "Oh, don't worry about the travel expenses. I'll arrange transportation for you. I wouldn't want my prized entity to be inconvenienced by something as trivial as travel." They leaned against the wall, a hint of arrogance in their tone. Mr.Jinx raised an eyebrow at the figure's response. "Prized entity, am I? Careful now, your ego is showing." His gaze darkened, his expression turning serious. "But make no mistake, figure. Even if you are paying for my travel, I'm not your puppet. I'm here to do a job, and I'll do it on my own terms.",
The figure chuckled once more, amused by Mr. Jinx's attitude. "Oh, I know full well I'm not dealing with a pushover, Mr. Jinx. You're here because I need your skills, not your obedience. And as for the terms of your job, I can assure you, I'll make the deal worth your while.", Mr.Jinx clenched his teeth, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes once again. He knew the figure was trying to butter him up, but he wasn't one to be easily swayed by empty promises. He took a deep breath, trying to keep his annoyance in check. "Alright, let's get one thing straight. I'm a businessman, I get paid to do a job, and that's it. Don't expect any loyalty or sentiment from me. The deal better be worth my while, like you said.".
The figure nodded, a sly smile on their face. "Of course, Mr. Jinx. You and I are simply doing business here, no emotional strings attached." They pushed themselves away from the wall and walked towards the window, staring out into the darkness.
They turned back to look at Mr. Jinx. "Speaking of the deal, I believe I should show you how much I'm willing to pay for your services.". "well" Mr. Jinx started and continued by saying "I think you giving me your soul is enough proof I need" in a sly tone as crossed his arms and the figure remembered that did happen, The figure's confident demeanor faltered for a moment as the weight of their deal sank in. They remembered the agreement they had made - their soul for Mr. Jinx's services. They sighed, their shoulders sagging slightly. "Indeed, I suppose I did make that agreement. Very well then, you shall have my soul in return for your services. But I expect nothing less than a flawless execution from you.", Mr. Jinx smirked, satisfied by the figure's acquiescence. He knew he had them pinned, and he was more than happy to capitalize on that. He stepped forward, his shadow shifting at his side. "Don't you worry, pal. My services never come with flaws. You'll have your information as quickly as possible. I just hope nothing... unexpected happens, just give me the time and date and I'll have it ready til then probably". The figure nodded, a hint of resignation in their voice. "Very well then. The time frame, you ask? The casino is hosting a grand event in three days. That's your target date. Everything must be done by then. Can you manage that?", Mr. Jinx chuckled, amused by the figure's urgency. "Three days, huh? That's more than enough time for me. I could probably do it in two, but I'll need a few bits of information to get started.". The figure nodded, their tone serious once more. "Very well, I'll provide you with the necessary details. But listen carefully, Mr. Jinx. The Emerald Oasis is not just any ordinary casino. It's heavily fortified, with state-of-the-art security systems and a number of skilled guards and enforcers. You must be stealthy and thorough.", Mr. Jinx rolled his eyes at the figure's warning. "I know how to be stealth, pal. I'm not some kind of amateur. I've infiltrated and taken down much more heavily defended places before. This'll be a cakewalk.", The figure scrutinized Mr. Jinx for a moment, their gaze almost piercing. They seemed to be weighing his words, seeing how much of a bluff he was making. But after a moment, they sighed and decided to press him for more information. They leaned against the wall again and inquired, "Alright, smart guy. How do you plan on getting past the security measures? How will you gain access to the casino?". Mr. Jinx smirked and said "oh that's a secret", The figure's face twisted into a scowl at Mr. Jinx's response. They pushed themselves away from the wall, clearly irritated by his response. "A secret, huh? You expect me to hand over my soul without knowing how you'll do the job? I'm paying you for your services, not your silence.". Mr.Jinx chuckled, unfazed by the figure's irritation. "Now, now, there's no need to get so worked up. I can assure you, I have everything under control. The less you know, the better. Trust me, everything will turn out just fine. Besides, part of the thrill is in the surprise, don't you think?", The figure clenched their fists, clearly growing more impatient by the second. "Trust? That's a big word coming from someone I just met. And this is not some game, Mr. Jinx. My reputation and life are on the line here. I need something more concrete than just your word and a pretty smile.". Mr. Jinx's eyes darkened slightly, his smirk turning more malicious. "You want concrete, huh? Well, here's something concrete for you: I've never failed a job before, and I don't plan on starting now. I have my ways of getting things done, and they've never failed me before. So either you trust that I can do this or go find someone else who will.", The figure sighed, torn between frustration and desperation. They knew Mr. Jinx was their best bet at achieving their goals, but his flippant attitude was beginning to wear on them. They exhaled, their tone slightly resigned. "Very well. I have no choice but to trust you, for now. But mark my words, Mr. Jinx, if you fail, I'll be coming for you, deal or no deal.". Mr.Jinx's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as the figure conceded. He was glad he hadn't had to use more convincing methods. He chuckled, his tone smug. "I wouldn't worry about that if I were you. Failure is not a word in my vocabulary. I'll get the info you need, I guarantee it.". The figure glared at Mr. Jinx, their annoyance clear. But they also seemed relieved, knowing that their only option to achieving their goals was now in Mr. Jinx's hands. They nodded, a reluctant acquiescence. "Good, then it's settled. But you better deliver, Mr. Jinx. I'll be watching, and I'll be waiting for results.".