the Jinxy retake

First Ticket

Mr. Jinx smirked, his arrogance growing. "Oh, I will. And let me tell you something else, pal. You can watch me all you want, but you won't see anything but success. I'm the best at what I do, and your precious info will be in your hands before you know it.", The figure's expression was a mix of annoyance and caution. They knew they were in no position to argue, but Mr. Jinx's overconfident attitude was getting on their nerves. They took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "I expect nothing less from an entity as skilled as yourself, Mr. Jinx. Just remember, the deal still stands. Fail, and I won't hesitate to come after you.",
Mr. Jinx chuckled, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Ah, threats, my favorite. But don't worry, your little threats don't scare me. I always honor my deals, and I intend to keep it that way. The info you want will be in your hands, and then you can do whatever it is you plan with it.", The figure's eyes narrowed, a hint of skepticism in their expression. They were still wary of Mr. Jinx and his confidence. But they knew they had no other choice but to trust him. "Very well, Mr. Jinx. I'll hold you to your word. Remember, three days. That's all the time you have. Don't make me come looking for you.", Mr. Jinx chuckled, his smirk growing wider. "Three days is more than enough for someone like me. I'll have the info you need before you can blink. And as for you coming looking for me... well, I'll be long gone by then. You won't even know where to start.", Mr.Jinx then did a flip trick with his phone and caught it mid-air a d asked "what's the name of this casino you wanted me to go again?" in a calm tone, The figure's eyebrows raised in surprise at Mr. Jinx's trick, but they quickly composed themselves and answered his question.
"The Emerald Oasis. It's a high-end casino located in the heart of the city. It's known for its opulence and exclusivity. You can't miss it.", Mr.Jinx rolled his eyes and said "ugh the entities there don't like a lot of blabber and prefer to avoid it like wildfire" in unamusement, The figure nodded, understanding Mr. Jinx's sentiment. They knew the Emerald Oasis was populated by a certain type of crowd. "Yes, the entities that frequent the Emerald Oasis are known to be quite... particular. They prefer to keep to themselves and avoid unnecessary conversations. But remember, you'll still need to blend in and gain their trust in order to get the information I need.", "You're really tiein my hands here pal but the more challenges the better "Said Mr. Jinx with a smirk and he walks out of the bedroom with The Figure and they pass through the hall where the picture of Mr. Jinx's parents which The Figure noticed but kept up with Mr.Jinx. The figure continued following Mr. Jinx, their thoughts swirling. They couldn't help but wonder about the picture on the wall. Who were those entities in the picture? And more importantly, how would they factor into this entire scheme?,  They glanced at Mr. Jinx, trying to gauge his reaction. But Mr.Jinx's expression remained nonchalant, as if the picture didn't hold any significance. Finally, the figure decided to break the silence, their curiosity getting the better of them. "Mr. Jinx, mind if I ask you a personal question?", The figure hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. They knew they were treading on sensitive ground. "I couldn't help but notice the picture on the wall back there. Mind telling me who those entities are?". Mr.Jinx rolls his eyes and said " their names are in a corner of the frame, it often changes so you might as well look closely" as he turned around, The figure blinked, slightly taken aback by Mr. Jinx's blunt answer. They hadn't expected him to be so direct about it. But they quickly composed themselves and focused their gaze on the corner of the picture where the names were inscribed. As the figure looked closer, they found the names inscribed in the corner of the frame. They squinted, trying to make out the names in the dim light. They then saw the names "Jaqueline & Rictus" on the top right corner, The figure's eyebrows raised in surprise at the names they saw. They hadn't expected to find the names of Mr. Jinx's parents. And they realized that this picture might hold a deeper significance than they initially thought. They turned their attention back to Mr. Jinx, who was still standing with his back turned. The figure decided to ask one more question. "Mr. Jinx, mind telling me about your parents?", Mr. Jinx tensed slightly, his shoulders tensing under his shirt. He didn't like talking about his parents, especially with strangers. But he knew the figure would likely press for information, so he decided to give them a brief answer. "What do you want to know about them?", The figure was taken aback by Mr. Jinx's guarded response. It was clear that the topic was touchy for him. But they decided to tread carefully, trying to keep the conversation as light as possible. "Well, I was wondering if they're still around. Or did something happen to them?", Mr. Jinx let out a humorless laugh, his shoulders shaking slightly. He kept his back turned, not wanting to reveal too much. "You really want to know, huh? Well, if you must know, my parents are gone. And that's all you need to know about it.", The figure's expression softened, a hint of sympathy in their eyes. They could see the pain in Mr. Jinx's voice, and they knew they were delving into sensitive territory."My apologies Mr.Jinx I didn't mean to upset you" but before The Figure could finish Mr. Jinx said "just leave... I'll contact you when the information is collected. I wouldn't want my boss knowing I work double anyway" in annoyance as he made a mug float to him with his red mist magic and it fills itself with coffee, The figure was taken aback by Mr. Jinx's sudden shift in demeanor. They could sense his growing irritation and decided it was best to not press further. They sighed, realizing that they had pushed too far. "Very well, Mr. Jinx. I apologize for delving into personal matters. I'll take my leave for now. Looking forward to hearing from you.", With that, the figure turned and walked away, leaving Mr. Jinx to his thoughts. Mr. Jinx watched them go, his expression unreadable. He was relieved that they had backed off, but he couldn't shake the feeling that they had gotten too close to his secrets. He took a sip of his coffee, the bitter taste mirroring his mood. He knew the figure would continue to be a source of potential problems, but he would deal with that when the time came. For now, he had a job to do. Taking another sip of his coffee, he steeled himself for the task ahead. He knew the Emerald Oasis would be a challenge, but he was prepared to face it head on. He just hoped that his visit wouldn't stir up too much trouble for himself or those around him. Setting down his mug, he closed his eyes and focused. His mind was already racing with plans and strategies. He knew he had a lot to do in the next few days, and he was determined to make the most of it. But that thought was interrupted by the sound of a knock on the door and Mr Jinx walks to the door and sets his mug of coffee down on the little table nearby and opened the door and was face to face with Mr.Zico
Mr.Jinx didn't look too thrilled to see his boss standing there but yet again he agreed to let Mr. Zico to use the guest room in his home but he said "You really weren't kidding when you needed a place to stay huh??. Mr.Zico chuckled at Mr. Jinx's comment, his usual carefree smile plastered on his face. "You know me, I always need somewhere to crash. But trust me, I'll be out before you know it. Just need a few days to lie low.", Mr.Jinx rolled his eyes, unamused by Mr. Zico's nonchalance. He opened the door wider, allowing his boss to enter. "Sure, just try not to cause any trouble, alright?", Mr. Zico stepped inside, still wearing that irritating smirk on his face. He surveyed the room, taking in his surroundings. "Trouble? Me? Come on, Jinx, you know me better than that.". Mr. Jinx said "I only known you for like a week if I remember correctly" in a dull tone and he made his way to the kitchen and used his magic to prepare a quick breakfast and just in time too, he heard footsteps coming down from upstairs and turned his head to see Melody and her tiny body and she let's out a yawn and looks up to see Mr.Zico. Mr. Zico's eyes widened at the sight of Melody, clearly taken aback by her presence. He looked at Mr. Jinx, a mix of surprise and confusion on his face. "Um, care to explain, Jinx?" Mr.Zico asked and Mr. Jinx picked up Melody as he said "you and the others gave me her remember and I don't know what to do because I just dodged a bullet when I last visited my vessel" in a nervous yet cheerful tone, Mr. Zico's eyes widened further at Mr. Jinx's words, realization dawning on him. He had almost forgotten about the situation with Melody. He looked at the young entity in Mr. Jinx's arms, his expression softening slightly. "Oh, right. I had almost forgotten about her. But what do you mean by 'dodged a bullet'?" and this made Mr. Jinx groan as he remembers that little encounter with that wife and man that visited Cynthia which was embarrassing as hell. Mr. Jinx sighed, reliving the memory of that awkward encounter. He glanced down at Melody, who was still rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Let's just say, the situation is a bit... complicated," he explained, his tone tired. He didn't want to get into the details of that weird couple's visit. "But I suppose you could say Melody's presence has been a bit of a challenge." He ruffled Melody's hair affectionately, Mr.Zico chuckled at Mr. Jinx's words. "Challenging, huh? I can only imagine. But from what I remember, you seemed pretty capable of handling it.",
Mr. Jinx rolled his eyes, not appreciating the implied compliment. "Yeah, well, it's not like I had much choice. You guys kinda pawned her off on me," he muttered, still holding Melody in his arms. Mr. Zico raised an eyebrow at Mr. Jinx's response. "Pawned her off on you? That's a little harsh, don't you think? We just thought you'd be the best equipped to handle her.", Mr. Jinx cleared his throat and said " oh do pardon my tone it's just I had a rough morning and wasn't expecting you to arrive so soon" in a tired tone, Mr. Zico chuckled, sensing Mr. Jinx's tiredness. "Sorry for dropping by unannounced. I didn't realize you had a 'rough morning.' What happened, you run into some trouble or something?", "no no" Mr. Jinx started and puts Melody on a chair so she can eat and then said "I just woke up earlier than usual but I do need a favor from you since you're here" in a calm tone, Mr.Zico's curiosity piqued at Mr. Jinx's request. "A favor, huh? What kind of favor?", he asked, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall. Mr.Jinx stood up straight "well I'm going out to do some things and I unfortunately can't take Melody with me so I need someone to babysit her while I'm away"  in a calm tone and Melody looked up from her food when she heard "going to be away" and Mr. Jinx sighs, Mr.Zico raised an eyebrow, surprised by the request. "Babysit Melody?", he repeated, trying not to sound too amused. He glanced at the young entity, who was now looking up at Mr. Jinx curiously. "So you need a caretaker for her, huh?". Mr. Jinx nodded, rubbing the back of his head in slight embarrassment. "Yeah, basically. I have a few things I need to take care of, and I can't bring her along." He looked down at Melody, who was now eating her breakfast quietly. "I was hoping you could watch her for a bit. Just until I come back.",
Mr. Zico thought for a moment, weighing his options. He could tell that Mr. Jinx was sincere in his request. "Alright, I suppose I can watch her for a bit. It's not like I have anything better to do.", he said, attempting to sound indifferent. But Mr. Jinx could see the slight hint of excitement in his eyes. Mr. Jinx let out a sigh of relief, thankful that Mr. Zico agreed. "Thanks, man. I appreciate it. I shouldn't be gone too long, just a few hours at most." He ruffled Melody's hair affectionately again, then turned his attention back to Mr. Zico. Mr. Zico nodded, a sly smile forming on his face. "Don't worry, Jinx. I've got this. She'll be safe and sound with me." He looked at Melody, who was now eyeing him with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. Mr.Jinx nods and went to his bedroom to get dressed, Mr.Zico chuckled as Mr. Jinx went to get dressed, amused by the situation. He looked down at Melody, who was still watching him with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. "Well, looks like it's just you and me for a bit," he said with a goofy grin. Melody didn't seem too thrilled by the prospect but since she knew Mr. Zico she could do much on the protesting part so she kept eating her breakfast, Mr.Zico chuckled at Melody's less-than-enthusiastic response. He knew winning her over wasn't going to be easy, but he was determined to make the most of this unexpected babysitting duty. He leaned against the wall and decided to try to break the ice with some conversation. Mr.Zico scratched his chin thoughtfully, trying to come up with a topic of conversation. Then, he snapped his fingers and said "So, Melody, what do you like to do for fun?",
Melody looked up from her breakfast, slightly surprised that Mr. Zico was talking to her. She wasn't used to people asking her personal questions. She swallowed a mouthful of food before replying in a soft voice, "I...I like to draw. And read.". Mr.Zico raised an eyebrow, pleasantly surprised by Melody's response. "Oh, you like to draw and read, huh? That's pretty cool. Do you have any favorite books or artists?" He leaned forward, actually interested in her answer. Melody fiddled with her fork, a small blush creeping onto her cheeks. She wasn't used to being asked about her interests. "Um, I...um...I like to read books about adventures and mysterious.", she mumbled. Mr.Zico nodded, impressed. "Adventures and mysteries, huh? That sounds intriguing. Any specific ones you like the most?", he asked, still leaning forward, genuinely interested in her answers. Melody fidgeted with her fork a bit more before replying, her voice still soft and shy. "Well, one of my favorites is 'The Magic Door'. It's about a group of friends who discover a magical door that leads to a secret world where they have to solve puzzles and riddles to save the day.",  Mr. Zico's eyes widened in excitement. "Ooh, a magic door to a secret world? That sounds like my kind of book. I'm definitely adding that one to my reading list. Maybe you can lend it to me sometime," he said with a smile. After a while Mr.Jinx came down to the kitchen in a suit that he had just in case for the occasion and he fixed his bowtie with him hands and got a glare from Mr. Zico which Mr.Jinx glares back with a side eye glance and sighs, Mr.Zico couldn't help but snicker at Mr.Jinx's appearance. "Seriously, man? A suit?", he teased. Mr. Jinx rolled his eyes and said "welp I'll be on my way. Take care you two" as he walked to the front door. Mr.Zico chuckled, still amused by Mr. Jinx's fancy attire. "Have fun on your little outing, Jinx. We'll be fine here, won't we, Melody?", he said with a smile. Melody looked up from her now empty plate and nodded in response. Mr.Jinx gave them both a nod before heading out the door. Mr. Zico smirked and turned his attention back to Melody. "Well, it's just the two of us now. What do you say we find something to do to pass the time?", Melody, feeling a bit more comfortable with Mr. Zico now that Mr. Jinx was gone, nodded slowly. She was still a bit shy but was curious to see what kind of activities Mr. Zico had in mind.
Meanwhile with Mr.Jinx he was on his way to the train station to catch a ride to the heart of the city he looks down on Cynthia's soul knowing well when he gets the ticket, bad things will happen but it's a price for making deals with others in this world so he puts Cynthia's soul in his pocket and made his way to the train station. Once he got his ticket he watched Cynthia's soul darkened and shrivel. As Mr.Jinx watched Cynthia's soul darken and shrivel, he tried to ignore the pang of guilt he felt. He knew that making deals with other beings always came with a cost, and this was the price he had to pay for that. He took a deep breath and made his way to the platform, waiting for his train to arrive. As Mr. Jinx waited Mr. Jinx watched through a one way portal as Cynthia got caught by police using her magic and was taken to a lab, it was painful to see his first vessel being treated as such but he couldn't do much now the only thing he can do is just watch it happen, Mr.Jinx's heart ached as he watched Cynthia being captured and taken to the lab through the one-way portal. He wished he could reach through and help her, but he knew that would only put him in danger. All he could do was watch as his first vessel was being experimented on. As the minutes ticked by, Mr.Jinx continued to watch through the portal, feeling a mix of anger and helplessness. It was a cruel twist of fate to see someone he once shared a body with being treated like a lab rat. But he knew he couldn't turn away, even though it was painful to witness. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the train arrived and Mr. Jinx climbed in, taking a seat and trying to push aside the thoughts of Cynthia's predicament. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to focus on the task ahead. As the train headed towards the heart of the city, Mr. Jinx tried to keep his mind clear, but images of Cynthia's soul darkening and memories of their shared adventures kept creeping into his thoughts. He let out a deep sigh and leaned against the window, hoping the scenery would help distract him. The train ride was long and Mr. Jinx soon found himself lost in thought, his mind swirling with a mix of memories, worry, and determination. He knew he had to stay focused on the task ahead, but he couldn't shake the nagging feeling of guilt and helplessness that had settled in his chest since watching Cynthia be captured. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the train arrived at its destination and Mr. Jinx got off, stepping into the bustling heart of the city. He took a moment to orient himself before setting off towards the Emerald Oasis, his determination pushing aside his worries and guilt for the moment. As he navigated through the crowded streets, Mr. Jinx couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The city was filled with all sorts of beings, some good, some bad, and some in between. He kept a low profile, blending in with the crowd and trying not to draw attention to himself. He could sense that he was getting closer to the Emerald Oasis, and he quickened his pace. After a few more minutes of walking, Mr. Jinx finally arrived at the Emerald Oasis. It was a large building with a gaudy exterior that looked more like a casino than a place of business. Mr. Jinx took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever lay ahead, and stepped inside. Inside the Emerald Oasis, the air was thick with cigarette smoke and the sound of clinking glasses. Mr. Jinx made his way through the throngs of people, scanning the room for his contact. Finally, he spotted them sitting at a back table, sipping a drink and watching the crowd. Mr.Jinx approached the table and sat down across from his contact, a sly grin on his face. "You're late," the contact said in a gruff voice, eyeing Mr. Jinx up and down. "my apologies if you were waiting" Mr. Jinx said in his usual sly tone, The contact grunted in response, clearly not amused by Mr. Jinx's casual demeanor. "You have the item?" the contact asked, getting straight to business.
Mr.jinx nods and used his finger to trace a  small circle on the table the item appears in the middle of the circle and caught it like nothing, The contact's eyes widened in surprise as the item magically appeared in the middle of the table. "Impressive," he said, clearly impressed. He reached out to examine the item, picking it up and turning it over in his hands. The contact inspects the item closely, studying every inch of it. "This is exactly what I was looking for," he said with a nod. "But I must say, you're full of surprises, Jinx.", Mr.Jinx chuckled, resting his chin on his hand. "Well, what can I say? I like to keep things interesting," he said with a wink. "Now, about that payment... ", The contact smirked and reached into his pocket, pulling out a fat envelope. He slid it across the table to Mr. Jinx, who took it with a satisfied smile. Mr. Jinx opened the envelope and counted the cash inside, making sure he wasn't being shortchanged. Satisfied with the amount, he looked back up at the contact and smirked. The contact raised an eyebrow, still eyeing Mr. Jinx curiously. "You're not like other beings, are you?" he asked, more a statement than a question. "You're different, you've always been different.",
Mr.Jinx shrugged nonchalantly, leaning back in his chair. "I like to think of it as being unique," he said with a smirk. "But yes, I guess you could say I'm a little different from the rest.", The contact chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. "Unique is one way to put it," he said, setting the glass back down. "You have a way of defying expectations, Jinx. It's almost like you're not bound by the same rules as the rest of us.". Mr.Jinx chuckled, his smirk growing wider. "You could say that. I've always believed in carving my own path, even if it means breaking a few rules along the way." He leaned forward, folding his arms on the table. The contact leaned forward as well, studying Mr. Jinx closely. "You've got quite a reputation, you know. People fear you, respect you, and some even admire you. It's not an easy thing to achieve.", Mr.Jinx shrugged, nonchalant as always. "What can I say? I have a way of making an impression. But fear, respect, admiration... it's all just a matter of perspective." He leaned back in his chair again, feigning humility. The contact chuckled, not fooled by Mr. Jinx's act. "You're a natural charmer, I'll give you that," he said, taking another sip from his glass. "But we both know you're more than just a charming jokester.". Mr.Jinx rolled his eyes as he said "like a single unmarried father and as well a circus performer, yeah yeah a lot to handle in one career" as he looks to the side of the folks having fun and messing around, The contact chuckled at Mr. Jinx's sarcastic response. "Oh, you have quite the impressive resume, don't you? A single father, circus performer, and a creature of the shadows all rolled into one. Do you ever sleep?" He took a sip from his glass, clearly amused. Mr.Jinx laughed, running a hand through his messy hair. "Sleep is for the weak, my friend. Besides, I find there's just too much to do and too many mischiefs to make to waste time sleeping." and suddenly remembered how early he woke up for this and said "you know, I find it funny how you come flocking to my area just for some information, truly entertaining" with a dull chuckle, The contact chuckled as well, not offended by Mr. Jinx's jest. "Well, you're quite the interesting character. You have access to information and connections that are hard to come by. And your ability to keep secrets is unparalleled." He took another sip from his glass, studying Mr. Jinx thoughtfully. There was a ruckus happening and it got closer and closer and even closer to the point where Mr.Jinx and the contact had to turn their heads to look putting their conversation on hold and they saw someone was getting kicked out by two guards, The contact and Mr. Jinx both turned to watch as a patron was being forcefully removed by the guards. Mr. Jinx raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the commotion. "Looks like someone's had a bit too much fun," he noted, watching the scene keenly. The contact took another sip of his drink, shaking his head in amusement. "This place can get rowdy sometimes," he said, watching the guards handle the situation. "It's part of the Charm, I guess. Keeps things interesting.".
Mr. Jinx nodded in agreement, still watching the situation unfold. "Can't say I mind a bit of chaos now and then," he said idly. The guards successfully removed the troublesome patron, bringing a sense of order back to the room. The contact finished off his drink and set his glass back down. "Well, that's one less disturbance to worry about," he said, turning his attention back to Mr. Jinx. "Now, where were we?", Mr.Jinx leaned back in his chair, resuming their conversation. "Ah, yes. We were discussing my many talents and attributes. Quite the list, I might add." He leaned closer, a sly grin on his face. "But enough about me. Let's talk about you, my friend.". The contact raised an eyebrow, curious about Mr. Jinx's sudden shift in topic. "Me? What do you want to know?" he asked, folding his arms on the table. Mr.Jinx chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Oh, nothing specific. Just wondering what someone like you is doing, frequenting a place like this." He gestured to the crowded bar around them. "You don't strike me as someone who comes here for the fun and games.". The contact chuckled, taking another sip of his drink. "You've got a good eye, Jinx. You're right, I'm here for business, not pleasure." He set his glass down, his expression becoming serious. "My line of work requires me to keep tabs on certain information and connections. And this place is a goldmine for it.". They both suddenly heard a gunshot and knew it was time to get the heck outta there so they shook hands, and Mr.Jinx watching as his contact paid for the drink and left. Mr.Jinx left as well since he didn't buy anything which was probably for the best,
Once outside, Mr. Jinx took a deep breath of the fresh night air. He shook his head, amused at the turn of events. "Just another normal, chaotic day for me," he muttered to himself, strolling down the street with his hands in his pockets. As Mr. Jinx walked, he couldn't help but reflect on the conversation he'd had with the contact. There was something about their exchange that had left him thoughtful. He wondered what the contact was truly after and if their paths would ever cross again. But for now, he was content to simply enjoy the city night and the anonymity it provided. Mr. Jinx continued walking, his mind wandering. The city was alive with the sounds of traffic, music, and laughter. People were out enjoying themselves, seemingly carefree. But Mr. Jinx knew that there was a darkness lurking beneath the surface, a side of the city that most of these people were blissfully unaware of. A side that he was very much a part of. He continued to stroll through the city, soaking in the atmosphere. The neon lights of the buildings cast a colorful glow on the sidewalks. The crowds of people going about their lives. Mr. Jinx found himself watching them, studying their expressions, their body language. It was a way to pass the time, trying to guess the stories of the strangers he passed by. Eventually, he reached a quiet corner of the city, away from the hustle and bustle. The sounds of the city faded into the background, replaced by the soft hum of the streetlights. Mr.Jinx leaned against a wall, taking a moment to catch his breath. The night was quiet, almost peaceful. For a brief moment, the worries and responsibilities of his other life seemed far away. Mr.Jinx let out a deep sigh, enjoying the brief moment of solitude. He leaned his head back against the wall, closing his eyes. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. As much as he loved the chaos and excitement of his other life, he couldn't deny the allure of moments like these, where he could just be alone with his thoughts. He savored the silence for a few more moments, listening to the soft sound of his own breathing. Then, he pushed off the wall, straightening up and stretching, feeling the pleasant burn of his muscles.'Well, as nice as this is,' he thought, 'I can't stay here forever.'". And with that Mr.Jinx headed to the city train station to head home for the night and once he made it he noticed the tickets to the Entertainment District was 50$ which he had no problem paying for, Mr.Jinx paid for the ticket and got on the train, finding a seat and getting comfy as the train pulled away from the station. The ride was quiet and smooth, the rhythmic rocking of the train carriage relaxing. Mr. Jinx closed his eyes, feeling the fatigue of the day catching up to him. As the train journey continued, Mr. Jinx's mind started wandering. He thought about his daily life, the people he knew, and the situations he found himself in. There was so much to keep track of, so much to worry about. But in this moment, on this train ride, he felt a strange sense of ppeace The train continued its journey through the night. Mr. Jinx watched as the city passed by, the lights outside blurring into streaks of color. The rhythmic clacking of the train on the tracks soothed him, lulling him into a half-doze. His thoughts began to slow, replaced by a sense of quiet contentment. Eventually, the train arrived at its destination, bringing Mr. Jinx out of his reverie. He got up, gathering his thoughts and pushing away the peace and serenity he felt moments ago. It wouldn't do for him to be seen as sentimental, after all. With a sigh, he stepped off the train and onto the platform, preparing for whatever lay ahead.
Looking around, he saw the bright lights and sounds of the Entertainment District. It was a stark contrast to the quiet tranquility of the train ride. Mr. Jinx took a deep breath, steeling himself. He had a feeling the rest of his night was going to be anything but peaceful. He made his way home where Mr.Zico and Melody were waiting for him and he could only think of what they're doing now, meanwhile with Mr. Zico who had put Melody to sleep not too long ago was looking around Mr. Jinx's house when he suddenly came across the photo of  Jaqueline & Rictus. Mr.Zico paused, noticing the photo. He picked it up, observing it more closely. The image showed two people, presumably Jaqueline and Rictus. They looked happy, carefree. Mr. Zico studied their features, noting the resemblance to Mr.Jinx. Mr. Zico put the photo back where he found it, a thoughtful expression on his face. He knew Mr. Jinx had a past, a life before all of this, but it was rare to see direct reminders of it. He couldn't help but wonder about the entities in the photo and what their relation was to Mr.Jinx and Mr. Zico was confused because Mr. Jinx has never mentioned anything about his first time growing up in this place but there could have been a possibility that Mr. Jinx wasn't from the entertainment ring. Meanwhile Mr. Jinx was getting off the train and getting ready to walk his way home since it was now late as heck and Mr.Jinx wanted to sleep in the comfort of his own bed and deal with the aftermath tomorrow. Once Mr.Jinx made it inside his house he saw Mr. Zico asleep on his couch and Melody was sleeping on a pillow next to him, Mr.Jinx sighs and smiles knowing Mr. Zico had fun babysitting Melody, Mr. Zico awoke and saw Mr.Jinx and tried to act like he was awake the whole time which made Mr.Jinx chuckle quietly to himself as he asked "sleep well?" with amusement and Mr. Zico blushes in embarrassment, Mr. Zico responded with a sarcastic response and a grin "oh you know, I definitely didn't fall asleep watching the little bugger". Mr.Jinx let out a little bit of a laugh at Mr. Zico's embarrassment, He then said to Mr. Zico "really though, thank you for keeping a eye on her for the night, you saved me a lot of trouble" as he picked up sleeping Melody and walk off to tuck her in for the night and Mr. Zico was left in the living room. Mr. Zico would then get up and stretch, a satisfied grin planted on his face as he felt proud for his work, After Mr. Jinx tucked her in, he came back to the living room where Mr. Zico was, seeing him with quite a bit of a satisfied expression "you've been looking quite smug, whatcha up to?" Mr. Jinx asks in a friendly tone. Mr. Zico smiled and responded "oh nothing, just proud of my babysitting performance obviously", Mr. Jinx couldn't help but let out a laugh at the response "really? Well thank you, I'm glad Melody was in great hands, if she gave you any trouble tell me" Mr. Jinx smiles in return. Mr. Zico shook his head "no she was great, pretty sweet too, I don't think she could do any trouble even if she wanted too" he grinned back.
Mr.Jinx was relieved to hear that response and let out a sigh "good, I'm glad, but don't let it go to your head now, your ego is big enough as it is", Mr. Zico playfully punched his shoulder and rolled his eyes "oh shut it, I do have a reputation after all! I gotta keep it up!". Mr. Jinx let out a soft laugh and shook his head "yeah yeah, okay, Mr.Z. But you might wanna be careful, if my little munchkin grows up with your big ego we're going to have two over the top jokesters in my home, that is absolutely terrifying". Mr. Zico smirked and responded "and that would be a great thing, the only thing she would need to add is good looks to match mine" he was joking mostly... but that might not be totally wrong, Mr.Jinx rolled his eyes before responding with his own playful comment "yeah yeah, of course it would be, I'm sure Melody would definitely get your good looks, oh and she'll inherit your lack of filter too. Can't wait for a little ball of chaos". Mr. Zico chuckled at the thought and grinned as he responded with "she'll be a menace that's for certain". Mr.Jinx let out a loud laugh and nodded his head in agreement "oh oh and she would have your sass!". Mr. Zico had a proud smile as he responded in a playful tone "of course she will, I wouldn't want her getting your lack of sarcasm though" and Mr. Jinx chuckled and said "that's how I am out of work and oh speaking of work, when's the next show being held since you know. You run the main circus in the entertainment district here" in amusement. Mr.Zico was about to respond until the circus was brought up, his expression became a bit serious, he then responded with "oh in a few days actually", Mr.Jinx was shocked by this fact and asked in a semi surprised voice "really? Already? How has it been that long since the last one?". Mr. Zico responded in a somewhat stressed tone "yep. Pretty quick huh? The last time I performed was probably three days ago? Time has been passing so quick lately", Mr.Jinx's expression went from surprised to somewhat concerned "yeah, it has been going by rather quickly, are you holding on okay though?". Mr. Zico hesitated for a moment before responding with a somewhat unconvincing smile "oh yeah yeah! Of course. Totally fine! Not overworking myself or anything at all" he was definitely not telling the truth, Mr.Jinx furrowed his brow and crossed his arms "don't try to convince me with a smile now, I know fake smiles all too well. You're overworking yourself again aren't you?". And with that Mr. Zico sighs and nods in response and Mr. Jinx's eyes narrowed as he looks at Mr.Zico, Mr. Zico let out a sigh and nods in response "yeah yeah, but don't worry! It's not too much okay? I haven't collapsed from exhaustion yet or anything! It's good enough" he smiled back to try get Mr. Jinx off his case, Mr.Jinx was even more concerned now and shook his head "no it isn't good enough, you've got to take care of yourself too you know! I can't have you getting sick or anything While you're in my house" Mr. Jinx responded in an obviously worried tone and Mr. Zico rolled his eyes and said "I'm here for only a day or two" and before he could say more Mr.Jinx said "doesn't matter boss, you're going to get yourself sick to the bone",Mr. Zico let out another sigh, he was too stubborn for Mr. Jinx to convince, he was good at overworking himself and he usually ended up making himself sicker at the end too, he let out a small smirk and responded "I'm fine, you're overreacting", Mr. Jinx was slightly annoyed by the response, he knew Mr. Zico was overworking himself a lot more than he was letting on, but he was very determined to make it seem like he was totally fine and that he was able to handle all the work "just because you're not collapsing at my front door doesn't mean you're okay, you fool". Mr.Zico let out a short scoff at getting called a fool "oh please, I'm doing just fine, stop worrying so much, okay?" His tone was still lighthearted, and he was still just as stubborn.

Mr.Jinx inhales and exhaled and said "you know what...fine but I'm not helpin when you do collapse one day" as he heads back to his room to change out of his suit and get into some comfy pj's or something so he can sleep and a Mr.Zico was left alone again to think about what to do because he hasn't told Mr.Jinx a important detail that he was getting hunted down so it was probably best for mr.Jinx not to know but it was kinda scary to think that Mr. Zico "the grand ringmaster from the most famous circus in the entertainment district" was getting hunted down over a bet he lost.
Once Mr. Jinx was gone, Mr. Zico went into a more thoughtful expression, one that would be a bit out of character for him, he was usually lighthearted, silly and playful, but thinking back on the last few days, this was all getting a bit overwhelming, and this was the first moment he had to actually think about all the stress the whole being hunted for losing a bet was causing him, As he sat on the couch, he rested his hand on his head as it started to hurt a bit, he tried to think straight, usually he was confident enough, but he's started to get anxious after being constantly followed by whatever was after him, but he's been hiding it by just working more to clear his mind, and maybe he was overworking himself, but that's not as big a deal as being followed and possibly killed right?. He let out a sigh and rubbed the bridge of his nose as the stress started to overtake him and he was alone now, he couldn't hide behind his facade of the confident and prideful ringleader...he was just Mr. Zico, a man who lost a bet and was paying dearly because of it, As he sat there with his own thoughts, the weight of it all seemed to collapse on him, he felt anxious and he started to get panicked, but he kept himself together well enough, he didn't need to start having a mental breakdown in Mr. Jinx's house of all places. His heart felt tight and he took deep breaths to try steady himself, he rubbed his temples as if it would stop it all, he was stressed out but didn't want to show it, he just had to hide, for now, he had to keep up his image as an annoyingly carefree person for just a little bit longer for Mr.Jinx since he was the one responsible who gave him Melody on his first day anyway but the reason why he gave Mr. Jinx, Melody was unknown and Mr. Zico was thinking on keeping things that way til his death, And it'll probably stay that way.