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[color=217c85][b]#217c85[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [color=808080][b]jinx[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/sPaSuhp][color=808080][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [color=808080][b]descendant tower[/b][/color]
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[indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080]Ronnie wasn’t late, contrary to how it might have appeared.

She had been casing the tower for days since she stumbled upon the message while she [i]may have been[/i] snooping around Alias Investigations after hours. In her defense, Jessica Jones had been missing for a couple weeks and she thought she could maybe find out more information then whatever jackasses I.H.A. sent to sweep the place. [i]Shocker[/i], they were a gaggle of blind idiots. There was plenty of shit still lying around, including some retro ass pager shoved away and forgotten under cobwebs and empty bottles at the back of her liquor cabinet. Shit, Ronnie nearly missed the thing herself if it wasn’t for the beeping. With Jessica Jones MIA, it only made [i]sense[/i] for her to take the little contraption and try to figure out what it was… Or what the message was about. 

Unlike the other idiots that just waltzed their way right inside the mirrored monolith on the coast of Connecticut, Ronnie had to know what she was getting herself into before setting foot in the giant tower. She spent the following week staying in a shitty rundown motel in the closest city, Bridgeport. Only once the sun had set would she make her way to the tower, keeping to the shadows and watching for signs of life. While the building looked abandoned, it had an extensive security system that didn’t leave many options for a stealthy approach. 

By the day of the gathering, or whatever the fuck it was called, it wasn’t like the signal gave any information, Ronnie had narrowed down her options. Her best approach was going to be from the water which meant a lot of swimming and a second oxygen tank. She set out before the sun peeked over the horizon at the crack of dawn. She couldn’t put a finger on why there wasn’t much security through the water access. Perhaps they never thought that someone would be crazy or stupid enough to try infiltrating the tower from the ocean… Well think again, because Ronnie was 100% crazy enough to give it a try. Jury was still out on the stupid part. 

It took her nearly the entire first oxygen tank to make her way up the mile long submerged tunnel. When Ronnie’s head finally broke the surface, she was in a large man-made underwater cavern. There were three docks for various underwater vehicles including one batman submarine thing. [i]Cool.[/i]

Once she was certain the coast was clear, she climbed out of the water. There were a couple lockers holding scuba gear and some benches, but otherwise it was fairly empty, no cameras, and no people. She took her time changing into her [i]meeting appropriate[/i] attire and stashed all her shit in the bat-sub. If things went tits up Ronnie was [i]not[/i] swimming back through that tunnel when a perfectly good submarine was sitting there collecting moth balls. She wasn’t entirely sure if it being there was a good sign or a bad sign. On one hand maybe Batman or one of his offspring were here doing… [i]something[/i]. But, it could also mean this was where Batman went missing and she was strutting her ass right into her own little piece of hell. Her outfit wasn’t really combat approved and she didn’t really want to ruin her Jimmy Choos, but sometimes sacrifices had to be made… She knew she should have just worn her Jinx outfit and accepted the consequences. Oh well. 

With her shoes in one hand and a purse full of gadgets, Ronnie began her slow and arduous ascent of the tower. Her climb consisted of increased security measures, an almost ridiculous amount of cameras, and more stairs than she ever wanted to climb in a single day. Each movement involved putting one camera on a loop, moving several feet and then switching to the next one. It was a long and very tedious process. But after a handful of hours and a slow ascension, she eventually made it to the second floor which looked like some sort of robotics run infirmary. But more importantly, it had a convenient little balcony near the elevators that overlooked the lobby. [i]Perfect.[/i]

Ronnie set up a tiny remote camera near the railing of the balcony, pointing it toward the lobby and had the feed sent directly to her phone. She then found a comfy little spot to lay under one of the medical beds hidden behind one of those hospital curtains. It was out of sight of the tower's surveillance or anyone who might happen to wander to that floor which was a perfect place for her to lie in wait… Literally. She put in her earbuds, rested her head on her purse and watched vigilantly. 


There was an hour or two where nothing happened. But as six o’clock got closer, five people migrated to the lobby preparing to receive whomever else might have gotten the signal. There were two older men who didn’t look familiar. But the other three had varying levels of fame because of their parents. Ronnie was familiar enough when it came to the Frost and Wayne girls. She couldn’t remember their names off the top of her head, but their faces had popped up enough recently with the death of Bruce Wayne and the disappearance of Tony Stark that she could place them. Then there was Jim Stark, none other than her old boss during her brief stint interning at Stark Industries. She doubted he’d remember her or the one time she tried to seduce him in his office when they were alone, but she remembered him [i]and[/i] the rejection. So it was unlikely that was something she was going to mention willingly. 

It must have been six on the dot when a loud crash from outside shook the ground beneath her. The culprit who looked like Rapunzel on steroids broke the doors on entry and then greeted the two older men in a boisterous hug. So far everyone was familiar with each other, or relatively, which didn’t set off any alarms or red flags. That was until a few moments later a man walked through the door, carrying a woman in his arms like they were newly weds. Ronnie had to keep herself from scoffing and giving herself up before she was ready.

Once the guy set the girl down was when her heart sank faster than a rock through water. It was Theo. [i]Her[/i] Webs. The last day she saw him was when they were still a couple. He was happy and unaware that she was about to vanish from his life. She never gave him the decency of an explanation or even a break up text. Just radio silence. Up until that moment it wasn’t a concern or a thought in her mind, but now it looked like if she had any intent on staying she’d have to face her past head on. 

It was hard to focus on the others that arrived while Theo was there. He was wrapped around the brunette’s finger, leaving when she did, returning with her as well. Ronnie imagined if that girl asked him to jump, he’d ask how high. Shit, he probably wouldn’t even ask. With an incredible amount of self control, she forced herself to look away from him and pay attention as the Frost girl, [i]Imogen[/i]... that’s right, began addressing everyone who gathered. Honestly, Ronnie was a little disappointed at the turn out. Was this really all who was left? Things were a lot worse than even she had imagined.


When the meeting was over, Ronnie let out a sigh that she had been holding in for the last couple hours. She had no further excuse to hide. Either she needed to suck it up, swallow her pride, and make an entrance… Or run for the exit and never look back. As much as the second option was tempting, she had to see it through… for her mom. 

Ronnie slid out from underneath the table, no longer bothering to mask her location in the tower from surveillance. They were all about to know she was there in less than a minute, setting off the alarms wasn’t going to make much of a difference. She scooped up her wireless camera on her way to the elevator and shoved it into her purse as she waited for it to reach her floor. Once inside and behind closed doors, she slipped on her heels, and tossed a piece of bubble gum into her mouth. 

The elevator dinged, signalling to everyone in the lobby that they weren't as alone in the tower as they might have thought. As Ronnie stepped out into the hallway, she pulled the claw clip out of her hair, letting her long golden curls cascade down to her shoulders. The pop of her bubble echoed off the walls along with the sharp clicks of her heels. A smirk crossed her lips as her gaze swept the room. [color=217c85]"Surveillance on sub-level 10 is abysmal. You should look into increasing that if you’re trying not to get killed or go missing."[/color] Her eyes locked on Jim and she flashed him a little wink.

She held up her hands innocently, surrendering before anyone had the chance to come at her with angry words or angrier fists. [color=217c85]"I come in peace. I wasn’t sure if this was a legit hero shindig or just an elaborate ruse. You can never be too cautious in times like these."[/color] Ronnie shrugged her shoulders and swept her hair over her shoulder with her right hand. [color=217c85]"I’m Veronica Hardy, [i]Ronnie,[/i] and the notorious cat burglar, Jinx. Reformed on the burglar part,"[/color] she added with a soft chuckle. [color=217c85]"But, you know, old habits and all that."[/color]

Then came the part she dreaded most. But rather than drag it out or play dumb, when both her and Theo knew better, Ronnie let her gaze find him. He stood at some receptionist’s desk, scrolling through what looked like a digital catalog of apartments or something. He was a couple years older and more chiseled, but still just as hot. The way his white shirt was pulled taut around his biceps brought back memories of those arms around her in the throws of passion. [i]Ah, good times.[/i] Beside him, practically shoulder to shoulder was the woman who threatened murder and made a scene about her secret identity being revealed. Upon closer inspection Ronnie noticed the girl was wearing a sweater far too big for her, which meant it had to be Theo’s, and… she was blind? [i]Curious.[/i]

Feigning surprise, shock, and utter excitement, Ronnie gasped and brought her hand to her mouth. [color=217c85]"[i]Webs!?[/i]"[/color] The blonde closed the distance between them in a couple quick steps and wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. Her chin rested on his shoulder as she kept him close, savoring the familiar warmth of his body and the scents of lavender and Gwen’s favorite laundry detergent. [color=217c85]"I’m so glad you’re ok! When I heard about your dad… I feared the worst."[/color]

Only after breaking the hug did Ronnie let her attention shift to the blind brunette beside him, not like she was going to notice one way or the other. [color=217c85]"Is this your [i]new girl?[/i] She’s [i]adorable.[/i]"[/color]

Myla’s attention snapped to the elevator the second she heard the ding and the doors opened. She didn’t know the woman but could vaguely recall a few run-ins with Jinx, although it had been years. At first she could relate with the woman on her apprehension and even applaud her capabilities to exploit weaknesses in the tower. It was good knowledge for the Stark jerk to have. But when she shouted something about webs a cold wave rolled down her body and a flush of being completely in the dark flooded her cheeks. Myla was prepared to hold her ground and at least [i]appear[/i] unbothered by whomever she was. But when she didn’t hesitate to wrap her arms around Theo, an uncomfortable knot churned in her stomach and her hand slipped from his grasp. 

She put on a brave face, even if the redness in her cheeks betrayed her. Myla took a slight step away from Theo, put on the most believable smile she could manage and held out her right hand. [color=962929]"I’m Myla Murdock. It’s [i]uh[/i]... It’s nice to meet you."[/color]

[color=217c85]"Myla,"[/color] Ronnie echoed with a warm, albeit entirely fake, smile as she gave the girl’s hand a polite shake. [color=217c85]"Lovely name. Did I hear correctly that you’re Hell’s Angel?"[/color] she asked with a slight cock of her head. [color=217c85]"We crossed paths a couple times in the past. I had nearly forgotten. Well, it’s no surprise why you caught Theo’s eye."[/color] She spared a glance over to her former paramore. [color=217c85]"He’s always had a thing for women in masks and black leather."[/color] Her head tilted down to Myla like she was letting her in on a deep dark secret.

Ronnie pivoted on the balls of her feet, sidling up to the woman, shoulder to shoulder, like they were old friends sizing up Theo. [color=217c85]"Although I always thought he preferred [i]bad[/i] girls,"[/color] she continued, pretending like she was a girl’s girl, offering some friendly advice when in reality a faint bit of jealousy stirred in the back of mind. [color=217c85]"Although there’s a little darkness in you, isn’t there?"[/color] She gave the woman’s arm a little nudge with her elbow. 

Myla felt like she was thrown 	in one of those carnival UFO rides. Everything was spinning so fast she was struggling to focus her mind. The centrifugal force kept her feet glued in place and the whiplash stole the words from her before they reached her mouth. Ronnie was like a tornado, every word was another gust of wind threatening to knock her off balance. Myla was desperate to hold onto Theo, if only to ground herself as she was bombarded with more information than she was prepared for. But in the same breath she needed space… and aspirin.

The thought that this was, perhaps, his worst nightmare emerged first. There was a pit of anxiety that expanded in Theo’s chest like a balloon, and he was so stunned that he didn’t push her away, but he didn’t hug her back either. He simply stared at the woman for a long time, looking as if he’d seen a ghost. His hand felt unbearably empty without Myla’s curled around it, and the pang in his heart had nothing to do with Ronnie. 

[color=feffb5]"What the fuck?"[/color] Theodore’s voice was choked, but he reached out for Myla. He needed something, anything, desperately, to keep him grounded. His fingers curled into the fabric of his… his dad’s sweater, catching the edge of her elbow. He pressed his trembling hand against her, trying to find the energy to pull her back to his side. [color=feffb5]"You… You vanished almost two years ago, just gone. I thought you… What the fuck are you doing, coming in here, and pretending that you didn’t just disappear?"[/color]

He was [i]angry[/i] in a way that Theodore was unfamiliar with. She’d been someone he trusted unfathomably, he’d thought he’d loved her, he mourned her disappearance, looking for her for a year. She’d been… everything to him, and he had thought she was [i]dead.[/i]

Theo swallowed around the sudden and violent urge to throw up. Veronica had always been tricky, hard to understand at times, not particularly nice very often, but the person he’d gotten to know and care for… She was gone, at least to [i]him[/i] she was gone. Had she even avoided him intentionally when he was working as Redback? He’d only mentioned her to Myla once before, but he hadn’t liked to talk about how someone he cared for was likely dead. 

Grappling with the realization that he’d been mourning someone who was very much alive was almost too much for him, and he took an automatic step toward the door, forgetting he was still holding onto Myla.

Then, all at once, the words she’d been speaking to Myla registered for him and an entirely different sense of rage woke up within him. He did intentionally pull Myla toward him now, still just as gentle as ever even in his anger, but he didn’t stop until she was beside [i]him.[/i]

[color=feffb5]"You don’t get to waltz in here like this, after you let me think you were [i]dead[/i] and talk to her like that. Don’t even look at her,"[/color] his voice was positively scathing, entire body tense. [color=feffb5]"Where—No, you know what. I don’t care, if you can leave and let my whole family think you’re [i]dead[/i] for almost two years, I don’t care where you were. Just… Stay away from me."[/color]

Well that was rich. The girl was [i]blind[/i]. Like she’d even notice if Ronnie looked at her or not. [color=217c85]"Theo. [i]Babe,[/i]"[/color] the words rolled off her tongue with an ease of countless use, as if it was only yesterday that they were a loving couple. Her bottom lip jutted out in an exaggerated pout. [color=217c85]"Don’t be like that. I’m just trying to get to know her. Maybe give her a few pointers."[/color] Her left hand reached out to Theo’s right arm and then began walking her fingers up his bicep slowly, teasingly. Ronnie lazily turned her head toward the silent brunette, studying her flushed expression as being nothing short of blindsided. But it was more than Theo’s shock at her rising from the dead, Myla seemed to know nothing about her. [i]That’s rude.[/i]

Ronnie’s eyes narrowed as he pulled the brunette away gently, but with a fiery protectiveness that she wasn’t sure he ever exhibited for her. The friendly, calculated smile faltered for a fraction of a second as the envy festered and rooted itself in her gut. It was an alien feeling that left her clammy and nauseous. Whatever pretense of false friendliness she had been portraying churned and boiled into something darker.

She took a step toward Myla, filling the space that Theo created when he pulled her away. Ronnie rested her elbow on the brunette’s shoulder like they were the best of friends. [color=217c85]"Theo’s a giver, although I’m sure you’re already aware of that,"[/color] she commented and motioned to him like she was running through his sexual rap sheet. [color=217c85]"He’s also really good with his hands [i]and his tongue[/i]... If you haven’t gotten a chance to partake. I highly recommend it."[/color]

Theodore’s free hand convulsed at his side as his anger built, it felt like a tornado that had gone through a house fire and morphed into something monstrous. He didn’t know what he wanted to do first, but the surge of violence he felt at watching Ronnie touch Myla so casually was something he was unfamiliar with. He hated it, hated [i]her,[/i] and given the fact that he’d never even hated a schoolyard bully it was all new and frightening for him. His hands trembled, but he found restraint in the furthest recesses of his soul and clung to it.


Myla froze as the woman’s arm rested on her shoulder. She focused her attention on steadying her breaths and counting every blink of her eyes. Her face remained blank and emotionless as she felt trapped like a sheep stuck between two hungry wolves. She was prepared for the shade and underhanded comments, but Myla wasn’t ready for Ronnie spelling out Theo’s sexual prowess with a smug familiarity in every word. The color drained from her face. God she wanted to be anywhere else in the world. Jumping in the middle of New York traffic seemed like a fair alternative. 

[color=217c85]"Although…"[/color] Ronnie continued, her voice dropping to just above a whisper as she turned her attention back to Myla. [color=217c85]"It’s almost cruel how the blind girl snagged one of the hottest guys in the room. You can’t even appreciate the view. [i]Tsk tsk.[/i]"[/color] She lightly brushed the girl’s brunette hair over her shoulder while sparing Theo a side-eyed glance. 

[i]Ok, fuck this.[/i] She had enough. Myla tugged her shoulder free from under the woman’s resting arm, causing her to stumble slightly as she regained her balance. [color=962929]"Just means I like Theo for [i]who[/i] he is, not how good he looks on my arm,"[/color] she retorted coldly, letting her words do the biting rather than her tone. She turned her head toward Theo, disregarding Ronnie entirely. Myla didn’t have the time nor the patience for petty mean girl bullshit. [color=962929]"Pick whichever penthouse for me. I don’t care what I get,"[/color] she said while motioning to the digital kiosk that they were [i]attempting[/i] to browse before Ronnie rudely showed up. Her voice still had an edge to it, but she tried her best to not let her own temperament jade her words. [color=962929]"I’m going to go call a cab."[/color]

[color=feffb5]"I’ll be out in a minute."[/color] He hated how hollow his voice sounded, hated how he had to watch her walk away [i]again[/i] and there was nothing he could do to stop it. Feeling powerless was just as new to Theo as the anger that coursed through his veins like poison. 

Without a word or recognition toward Ronnie, Myla gently pulled the sweater from Theo’s hold and exited the tower. She found her way back to the familiar garden wall and took a seat. The cool air and silence, if she ignored the voices inside, calmed her. She took a moment to catch her breath, then fished her phone out of her purse. 

With the proverbial ball and chain out of the room, Ronnie crossed her arms over her chest. A small, almost genuine smirk crossed her lips as she tilted her head to the side. [color=217c85]"She’s feisty. I like her,"[/color] she quipped with a quirk of her brow. [color=217c85]"Can’t say I’m surprised Daredevil’s daughter piqued your interest. A little gloomy, but cute… [i]enough.[/i]"[/color] She shrugged her shoulders. [color=217c85]"I think her darkness is rubbing off on you though. You’re a lot [i]angrier[/i] than I remember."[/color]

Theodore did something he’d never been able to do with Ronnie before…he ignored her. It took every bit of self-control he had to not lash out at her, to bite the inside of his cheek until he tasted blood. He focused on choosing their penthouses, choosing one he was sure Myla would like and then picking the one above hers without even glancing at the specifics. He stared down at the screen for a long moment, trying to steady the uneven tempo of his angry pulse. It took a few minutes, but he finally turned to look at her. 

His face was blank in a way he’d learned from Myla, not nearly as perfect as hers but it was an expression Ronnie would have never seen from him before. He met her eyes steadily, trying to look for a smidge of remorse, a hint of regret, but he couldn’t discern anything of worth there. It made him feel sick, he’d [i]loved[/i] her and she’d just left. No closure, no goodbyes, she’d let him think she was dead. 

[color=feffb5]"I don’t know you,"[/color] there was a burst of clarity within Theo as the words left him, and he realized this could be his closure. He chose how it happened this time, he was in control of it. [color=feffb5]"Veronica died two years ago. I spent a year looking for her, I mourned with my family the person we knew and cared for. This doesn’t change anything, until you give me a reason to…forgive you, you’re dead to me still. I don’t know you, and if you don’t leave Myla out of whatever twisted game you’re trying to make this into, I’ll show you how much angrier I am these days."[/color] 

He’d lost Veronica, and then he’d lost his dad. Theo had been at the lowest point in his life when Myla found him and saved him in more ways than one. In his mind, nothing else mattered anymore than making sure she was safe too. Had he ever felt for Ronnie the way he did about Myla? He didn’t think so, but he’d been so much more naive back then. One of his hands curled around the edge of the table, and it splintered beneath his fingers, the glass surface fracturing across the tabletop. [color=feffb5]"I’m serious, [i]Veronica.[/i] Stay away from me, and if you touch her again..."[/color]

He didn’t need to protect Myla, she was more than capable of standing up for herself, but it wouldn’t stop him from trying. He felt blindsided, bewildered, hurt and so angry. There was no part of him that was happy to see Ronnie. Theo glanced down at the table and shook his head, turning on his heel and heading out of the tower. Only Myla could help with the mess his head was in. 

Ronnie was left behind, an uneasy smirk cocked her jaw to the side as she clicked her tongue. That could have gone better, but it also could have gone so much worse. There was some dark and dormant jealousy that poked at the recesses of her dead heart, but she was easily able to brush it aside for one reason and one reason alone… [i]Myla.[/i] Whomever that woman was made Theo grow angry, possessive, and protective, all aspects of him that plagued the once sweet man she knew. It was obvious the broody Daredevil spawn was darkening his spirit and clouding his judgement. Good thing she was there now. 

Looking unbothered and unfazed, Ronnie brushed her hair back over her shoulder and stepped up to the kiosk. Contrary to what one might think, she wasn’t overly picky. It was a place to live and who was she to look a gift horse in the mouth? She scrolled until she found something that would suffice and selected it. Level 17 it was.
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[color=808080][b]interactions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] theo & myla (everyone in the lobby generally) [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]mentions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] imogen, june, jim & magni [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]collabs[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] [@Sleepy Tani][/color]
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