Human Behavior
Hope everyone had a happy holiday. I've got a decently long and…active chapter. Enjoy.
Chapter Four: Skin
"…Selinda? What—how did you find me?"
"After all this time and that's the first thing you say to me?" the red-head snorted, turning back to finish the last darkening line around her cobalt eyes. "I'm insulted."
She had many things in common with creatures of the reptilian variety; a wild-eyed stare, skin cold and thick, impenetrable to almost everything. The blood flowing through her twisted vessels held less warmth and life than one would think necessary for survival. She was certainly attractive, and knew it, using it to her advantage in any and all instances. But the looks were always deceiving; words merely a web of lies luring the perpetual fly for a closer look. A bitter, vindictive, egocentric woman smoldered behind her false smile.
In her defense, however, Shimmer was a loyal teammate and caring sister; to the point where she'd willingly jump in front of a semi for them (the list was short and you'd have to sell your soul to get on it). Not that any of that was excuse enough for her attitude problem; Jinx still enjoyed her company.
"Selinda," Jinx growled, crossing her arms.
The girl rolled her eyes, tossing the towel from around her neck, pulling on her leather coat.
"Baran, of course. You're out of shampoo, by the way." She walked out of the bathroom, past the still glowering Jinx, and plopped down rather unceremoniously on the couch, turning her scrutinizing gaze to her surroundings. "Nice place you got here. A little empty, though…and I would have thought a world renowned thief such as yourself would have more…stylish furnishing," she gestured to the wooden crate serving as a coffee table that her feet were currently resting upon.
"Things change," Jinx softened her expression, wandering over to the window.
Selinda raised a brow in question. What had happened to her comrade since their last meeting? This tall, pale girl looked tired and frustrated as hell; somehow…lost almost. Where had the determination, the wild and recklessness gone? The sorceress was fighting herself; it was apparent by the colors raging across her eerily pale-pink eyes. Selinda watched her friend stare out the glass longingly into the night.
"Sorry about your window."
"No you're not," the feline cracked a small smile.
"Yeah," she chuckled, inspecting her nails. "Not like you ever were one to spend her time looking out windows." A thoughtful look graced her face momentarily before being quickly smothered by one of irritation. "So what's with this 'things change' bullshit? I mean what the hell did you do to your hair? You look so, so normal. It's sickening."
Jinx brushed a strand of wayward hair back into place, unknowingly fiddling with the blinds with her other hand. Stop it, don't show weakness; she'll tear you apart.
"No." Selinda let her feet fall to the floor unnecessarily. "God, you've gone bloody soft on me," she moaned, shaking her head.
"I have not," Jinx shot back. "I just…took a break to see…to see what civilian life was like."
"It sucks," the red-head retorted. "Boring, bland, and lame—why would you want that? The last time we were together, we heisted six European sports, lifted a rather pricey Monet, and nearly died laughing after we melded that cop car halfway into the street."
"Actually, I recall that I lifted the Monet and heisted the cars while you entertained yourself with the cops," Jinx sat down on the edge of her bed.
"You thought it was hilarious—admit it! You burst out laughing as soon as you saw!"
"Oh, it was funny," the feline smiled.
Selinda stood up, stretching. "So what have you been up to with this civilian life of yours? Did you get a job, fake a smile everyday and come home to your humble little abode every night?"
Jinx almost laughed. "Not exactly…but close enough."
"Ha. You? A real job?"
"Yeah…I actually quit this morning."
"Good. You won't need it anymore anyway," the meta-human smirked, thumbing through the mail that lay on the dinner table.
Jinx cast a sideways glance, slightly irritated that the girl was just making herself at home, and equally anxious about her sudden arrival. "And what does that mean?"
"Well, if I'm going to be staying in Jump for a bit, I need someone to take me on the up-to-date underground tour of the city, silly. You should pay your electric bill, it was due yesterday."
"I paid it online," Jinx stood, heading over to the refrigerator.
"I don't see a computer anywhere…"
"I used someone else's," the sorceress pulled out a bottle of water, draining half the container in one big swallow. "And what is the sudden interest in Jump? I thought you hated it here."
The goth shrugged. "I've been hanging around in Gotham, but that grew boring, fast. Figured I'd look up my old teammate and cause some trouble—" she was interrupted by the humming couch cushion. One slim brow rose as a mischievous smile spread across her lips. And by the look on her face, she's nervous…how unlike the Jinx I once knew… "Is that your new man?" she gestured with her thumb to the couch.
Jinx dashed over and picked up her cell phone, staring at the name blinking on the screen. …Shit… "Hold on a sec," she hissed before turning away from those goddamn blue eyes and answering the call in a quieted tone. "Hey, what's up?"
"The usual," came the dry reply from Raven. "I was calling to see if your schedule was open later, around one am."
Jinx tried hard to ignore the inquiring look she knew was plastered on Selinda's face. The meta-human circled around to get a closer look; Jinx was always just looking the other way… Selinda strained to hear what the caller was saying.
"Sure, I don't have any plans." Jinx swatted the girls creeping hand as it snaked around her shoulder, trying to pull the receiver away from her ear enough to see a number or name. She shot Selinda a glare, baring her teeth, "What do you have in mind?"
"There's going to be a meteor shower, I was wondering if you'd like to come watch it with me."
The feline smiled; how like Raven. Her tastes in entertainment may seem boring and drab to most, but nothing could contend with the shows Mother Nature created. A night staring up at the vast beyond, gazing at the stars painted across the sky. The sentiment was not lost to the thief.
"Of course I do, that sounds great. Where do you want to meet?"
"East; over by the shale cliffs. Know the place?"
"The cliffs? Ah, you mean the other side of the bay. Away from lights, traffic, and in general, people."
"That's the place. Don't forget."
"How could I forget something like this?"
"Well you are a little absentminded at times…"
"Oh, shut-up…you said one? See you there."
"Don't be late."
Jinx smirked and shut her phone, momentarily forgetting the other's presence until she made herself known with a disgusted groan.
"Look at that shit-eating grin on your face. You're absolutely infatuated with him."
"What? No, no, you don't know what you're talking about." Jinx furrowed her brow, desperately trying to change the subject. "So where do you want—"
"—Do I know him? Please don't tell me that was Gizmo on the phone, god help you if you've been snogging that little twit."
"Uhm, eww."
"Well, you're certainly not with Baran…one of your schoolmates, then? I don't recall many big names the year you graduated, but I just might," Selinda scratched her brow in thought for a moment.
"It doesn't matter, you don't know them," Jinx set her phone down on the table, mentally cringing as that word poured from her mouth. Them? Goddamnit…
Selinda arched a brow, crossing her arms, slowly taking step after step closer to the retreating Jinx. "Them? Really…why are you playing the pronoun game, hm?" During the extent of her slow prowl, she had traveled from across the room to mere inches from Jinx.
"First of all, my private life is no one's business but my own. Second, I suggest you back off," pink iris's narrowed, locking with blue.
The red-head chuckled faintly, her eyes dipping down; drawing back up the feline's every curve. Normally a gesture of sizing up one's adversary, Jinx got the distinct feeling it was something a little different, a little bit more. A shiver ran down her spine.
"There's only one reason someone plays the pronoun game," Selinda smiled, her eyes shimmering with a haunting glow. "So I really should be asking: do I know her…"
Jinx felt the dusting of red on her cheeks and looked away for a moment before returning to a solid scowl. "It's a distinct possibility."
Shimmer laughed, almost triumphantly. "Really? You actually have a girlfriend? That's fantastic…think of all the guys out there kicking themselves. It brings a smile to my face," Selinda still hadn't backed off in the slightest, remaining a little too close for comfort in Jinx' personal bubble.
The feline shifted, considerably uncomfortable with her position between the wall and the slightly taller, undoubtedly more insane Selinda. She was confidence, control, and dominance; Jinx found herself submitting already, through psychological games and those evocative eyes. That thought left a bad taste in her mouth.
"Yes…I've had one for around a month now." She stared back darkly, hoping to subconsciously push the girl back a few feet.
"Well good for you. Just clear something up for me; are we playing for the other side or both teams?"
That was an odd question asked with obvious intent…Jinx eyed her cautiously. "I haven't really given it much thought. I certainly like this one girl in particular."
"Yeah, that's just so adorable." Those blue eyes drifted down and back up once again.
What? It quickly came to Jinx's attention that Selinda was now even closer. Her hot breath graced her cheeks, making Jinx squirm away the few centimeters until the wall pressed firmly against her back. The red-head was so close, in such a personal space, her eyes hauntingly deep and knowing. Everything was happening so quickly that familiar feelings surged throughout Jinx, instantly making her feel guilty, ashamed, and aroused all at once; and Selinda knew.
"You apparently play for both at least," Jinx finally managed to growl out, though a bit too shakily for her tastes.
The ghost of a smile flashed across her lips once again before Selinda turned and walked to the front door. "Come on. Let's go out for dinner and catch up."
The command caught Jinx off guard almost completely; and by the smirk plastered on the Aussie's face, she must have been staring back blankly. What…how? How did she do that? Trying to retain what dignity she had left, she straightened, clearing away the previous explosion of hormones that so rapidly came and went. That's what struck this as extraordinarily odd—how could she go from fear to surprise to being backed against the wall, visually felt up…and absolutely love it?
"Jinx. Door. Food. I know how you like food…" Selinda now opened the door, gesturing to the night.
Something about this girl made the world stand still; letting the emotions brew, seemingly slow. Then in one sickening move everything caught back up and lurched forward rapidly; opposites switched and surprises emerged. A vortex of swirling feelings surrounded her; she changed them, wrapping up whoever she was with at the time in the intoxicating spontaneity she gave off. It was almost revolting.
Jinx looked at the clock; 7:20. She couldn't miss her date with Raven, but there's no reason not to have dinner with an old friend. I have plenty of time. She ran her fingers through her hair, contemplating a little longer before grabbing her coat. "Alright, but I can't stay out late."
"I'll have you home before your coach turns back into a pumpkin, little girl."
Wick snorted back another contagious spasm of laughter, trying to refrain from having beer trickle out his nose. In response, Jinx and Selinda both burst out laughing.
"Ah ha, oh god. Wick, stop making me laugh," Jinx rested her forehead on the tabletop, holding her side.
The green-haired boy stifled back a small chuckle before taking another swig of his beer. "But you have such a good laugh," he grinned, straightening his steel-framed glasses.
"It kills me how she throws her head back like that," Selinda sipped her screwdriver, eyes studying the pink-haired girl across the table.
"Oh shut-up, it's not that funny. At least I don't sound like a hyena," she gestured with her eyes back at Shimmer.
"I do not laugh like a hyena."
Wick and Jinx exchanged glances, turning and nodding in retort.
"Pff, whatever. Hey, another round of drinks," she tapped the table as a waiter shuffled by.
"Oh, no, I think I've had too much already," Jinx stared at the three empty glasses and the one quarter-filled on the table in front of her.
"Mojitos are sissy drinks!" Wick blurted out.
"That's just the eleven beers talking, hon," Selinda patted his wily hair.
The server returned, placing another round on the table before slipping away in the crowd. Jinx downed the last of her previous drink, then turned to the Aussie with pouty eyes. "I can't drink anymore."
"Aww, what happened? You used to be able to hold your liquor. Unlike junior here," she gestured to Wick, who was fumbling desperately with trying to open his new beer.
"Yeah, he doesn't get out much. Veronica keeps him busy."
Selinda smirked. "Do I hear 'wipuhsh'?"
"No, no…Veronica's his computer."
The two girls burst out laughing once again.
"Oh, can it already…She's all the w-woman I'll ever need," he smiled to the left, where apparently he saw someone standing. Or was just that tanked his vision skewered. He slowly slumped down in his chair until falling forward, sprawling across half the table; drooling.
Selinda downed her new drink before leaning in closer to Jinx. "Do I need to put that in a sippy cup for you?"
"You can kiss my ass, goth-girl."
"I'd rather just kiss you."
"Heh, yeah—what?" Suddenly a pair of soft, warm lips pressed against her own. Initially her body wanted to respond; she kissed her back before the little voice in her head beat her with the reason stick. She quickly pulled away, blinking, shaking her head. "What the hell are you doing?" She stared back in confusion.
"It's rather obvious, now isn't it?" cobalt eyes stared back momentarily before noticing Wick was long gone on the table. "Ah. Finally." She hopped up, making her way through the crowd to the bar to pay the tab.
Jinx brought her fingers to her lips, trying to shake the strange feeling that had washed over her. What had gotten into Selinda? The last time they were together she showed nothing more than platonic interests in Jinx. Now every word, gesture, look was filled with innuendo. The feeling was exhilarating, and welcomed. It was taking everything in her power to resist the decreasingly subtle advances of Selinda. Despite inhibiting most things, the alcohol wasn't killing any of the guilt or knowing plaguing Jinx. Her eyes drifted over to the passed-out Wick. She needed to get him home, the poor guy never drank much at all before this occasion.
"Don't worry, I called him a cab," Selinda had returned, pulling on her jacket. "Help me get him out to the curb."
Jinx obliged, and with the sleepy-eyed Wick supported between them, the trio stumbled out into the night.
After directing the cabbie to Wick's place and seeing them off, Jinx and Selinda started off for the feline's loft a few blocks away. They walked in silence; one brooding, the other casting glances and gradually inching closer to the other. Selinda spun around in front of Jinx, stopping the girl in her tracks. Once again ridiculously close, she held pink eyes in a solid stare.
"Something the matter?"
"Yeah, and you know what," Jinx glowered, shoving her hands in her pockets.
"I know that you aren't fighting very hard."
Selinda was right. And it infuriated her. Jinx' body wanted her so badly it would jump against her on its own if it could. But she just couldn't. Not to Raven. She looked away, desperately trying to break gaze with those sensual blues.
"That's what I thought…" if it were even possible, she inched closer.
The hot breath brushed against her once again, clearly visible in the chilly air. In an instant, Jinx was roughly shoved against the stone wall of the alley, hands pinned above her head, Selinda's lips hungrily pressed to hers. She squirmed, drowning in the electricity scorching throughout her, groaning throatily; only a quiet murmur smothered by Shimmer's kiss. As she tried wriggling her wrist free, a hard and solid bite to her neck followed by a primal growl ceased the fight, eliciting a hushed cry of pain and pleasure from the feline. Selinda pressed against her, running her free hand up the feline's thigh while she kissed and nibbled her wonderfully smooth and toned shoulder.
Jinx could only manage a whimper as Selinda's thigh pushed between her legs, rubbing hard against her. The Aussie smirked, bringing her lips to the girl's ear, delighted to see her jump, tremble at her very touch. She whispered.
"I can stop if you want."
When no reply but an animalistic stare came, she released the feline's wrists and claimed her slightly parted lips in another kiss, dominating her mouth while her hands explored underneath the dark blue jacket obstructing the tone, muscular body from view and touch. Jinx immediately tangled one hand in the red-heads hair while the other rested at the small of her back, keeping her close.
There was something about the ferocity, intensity of Shimmer that lit a fire inside Jinx; one she couldn't explain nor extinguish. She knew this was wrong of her, and aside from that knowledge, her primal brain had taken complete control, leaving her at the mercy of Selinda. With every pin, growl, shove, and bite, Jinx quickly found her place in submissiveness, a role she normally gave to Raven. With the tables turned, she grew frustrated, loving every second of it.
When they broke away, breathless for air, Selinda smiled. "Tongue piercing. Interesting…" she snatched an earlobe between her teeth, gently nibbling and licking her way up. Jinx shuddered, biting back a moan as she felt a warm, wet tongue slip just inside her ear. The feline dug her nails into Selinda's back, pushing against her leather covered thigh, desperately seeking release from the slowly built up tension of the nights events.
Shimmer chuckled, baring her teeth in a low growl as she roughly pushed the panting girl back against the wall. "Not so fast, little one."
Jinx gave her a questioning look, hoping this all wasn't some sick tease. She narrowed her eyes slightly, growling low.
Selinda bit her lip, resisting the urge to put her back in her place… "I wasn't expecting you to be so…receiving. Let's take this someplace else, it's a bit chilly out to be removing clothing," she hissed, running her fingers down Jinx' chest, lingering just above her belt.
The feline squirmed at her touch, locking eyes. "…Alright."
Raven glanced at the time on her cell phone, drumming her fingers on the ground impatiently. She had purposely told Jinx the shower started an hour before it actually did to be sure she wouldn't miss it. But as one forty-five rolled around, she started to grow irritated. Flipping open her phone, she dialed Jinx' number and waited, knowing that, like the last eight times she'd called, the thief wouldn't pick up.
Raven watched the meteors jet across the sky in solemn silence; alone.