#mutixlo

    The waterworks may not have begun–tears, may not have even slithered down her cheeks at all as their talk went on. Perhaps Blondie would gather her composure within these next few seconds. She was a classy type, she wouldn’t break in a place filled with all this ‘dancing and joy.’ But regardless. No dummy to emotions, Rhoda heard all of that awful p a i n in Diane’s voice. She could see the hurt just in how her face was exactly like one made when pricked with the biggest, thickest needle.    And so, even as Diane did not cry a river and flood Rapture: the eyes of this taller, darker-haired woman began to tingle. Tingling could have easily became something burning when the tears brimmed her sockets.As if, she and Andrew Ryan’s woman had joined feelings. (With ruby lips pressed in a scowl, eyes were rolled.)As if, Rhoda too, was disappointed with these unfaithful actions. Actions he didn’t even bother to hide, not with a poster plastered saying just who his favorite woman was.But. Rhoda did not share the same feelings as Diane McClintock. Even as from within, her emotions took its stages in building, in (ugh) emphasizing.    The women in Eve’s Garden had reasons to cry and complain. Some reasons of doing so were worse than other reasons. And as if these women were her daughters: Rhoda would listen, console, emphasize within this Garden. This garden where, Andrew Ryan’s other woman worked alongside her day after day.If Rhoda should have been consoling anyone, it should have been Jasmine Jolene...funny how things work.                                                “Honey. What part of a man isn’t hard?”  From their metal hearts to their dicks–which all they seemed to think with.“If you wanted a great man, you should have went for one that built a city in the sky instead.” Not the goddamn sea. Hell, there would be plenty of fresh air up there. Plenty of sunlight beaming upon skin too: not the dark reflection of the ocean.Afterward, a sip was taken from her glass–her eyes were to take in the smaller woman’s form once more. She propped her face against her palm;“Want another drink?” As if that would numb the sorrow. Maybe it would. Always worked for her.Another sip was taken.

That wasn’t to say he wasn’t going to eat it, though. He’d never left a scrap on his plate since the day she took him in. And as much as he tried to seem tough, he definitely appreciated it.

Jackie’s extremely physically affectionate.  She’ll cuddle with her partner, hug and kiss them, and generally give them as much affection as she can.  A lot of that is because she isn’t used to much physical affection herself, and it’s almost like she’s trying to make up for the lost time.  She’ll also knit her partner a bunch of her signature Wynand Ugly Sweaters, which she thinks are adorable and not at all ugly.  If there is a sweater occasion, her partner will get a sweater and Jackie being a bit shy about the sweater.  She’ll give gifts that she either made or thought really hard about before buying.

        The Sir Prize was great. And while one who spat on Lady Luck and the stupidity of trying and trying for said woman’s touch, Rhoda genuinely meant this. Rhoda Duerson was a firm believer in gaining men’s money in any type of way available, in any type of way fit. But this Breadwinner that always sought her for either arm time or neck time: he made her sick. Sick to her stomach. A feeling that was unfortunately reoccurring from Topside to Sea-Side; but that had not made the queasiness any easier.  The checkered asshole endorsed this match made in hell. His big spending was coming the Garden’s way and, ‘all for you, toots.’ This is why she liked Sir Prize far more than Pharaoh’s Fortune. Her date would talk, gloat, win: Rhoda would return to her home with something nice. But until then, she didn’t have to stand at his side. (Not even) Pretending to listen about whatever he and his friends rambled about: she could drink until he bothered her called her over.  And there on her own, she sat. She, being the woman that made Rhoda decide to name her first born Jewel…oh wait, she couldn’t have kids. Rhoda rolled her eyes, airily chuckled to herself even as she hadn’t found a thing funny. “If you’re looking for Mr. Ryan’s favorite girl, she’s not here.” Rhoda was mean for approaching the blond with this as a greeter, but in her opinion the sparkling Diamond seemed fixated on the ‘Big Star.’ This information was probably needed. “Wrong bar.” Rhoda took a seat beside “Diamond”, knowing at least she was in the right bar. 

Ryan Loyalist AU: He’s much, much calmer here. This version of Dodger didn’t experience a good 80% of the bullshit canon Dodger went through, so he’s a lot softer around the edges and Ryan has given him a pass to become a better man that he doesn’t plan to waste. While Diane tends to rub him the wrong way, it’s more of an affectionate embarrassment from being mothered rather than an active hatred. He’d worry if she got sick or injured, that’s the main difference. ]]

It probably didn’t. What had once been a clean map of the Hephaestus section was now covered in scribbles and handwriting of steadily degrading legibility. He’d been keeping himself awake with whiskey just because it was the closest thing at hand.. and he still wasn’t getting anywhere.

“We’ll see about that,” he said softly, through a carefully forced smile, “..pet”

“Don’t touch me.” It was a low grumble, rather than an outright command. He accepted the unasked for forgiveness. He just wanted her hand away from him.