26 I was so fucking tired writing this. I haven't slept in like 24+ hours

Only after taking a minute to calm my laughter down, during which Jinx simply stared dispassionately at me, can we begin proper discussion.

"So," He starts with a tired drawl, "what brings you here with such fervour to ignore my closed sign, mystery lady."

I smile beneath my simple mask at his tone, but since I want to get this part over with quickly, I give a simple and blunt answer.

"I was told you are good with information. I want to know where I can find a cape known as Equaliser."

Jinx doesn't pause in raising a new bottle to his lips as I speak, though he does raise an eyebrow as he gulps down his booze, speaking shortly after.

"Equaliser huh? Mind if I ask what business you have with him?"

Seeing no reason to lie, for much the same reason that I had no problem showing those thugs my tails, I give jinx the simple truth.

"I'm going to kill him. Preferably in a way that hurts, but I'm not too bothered with the how. I'm more interested in the when and where."

A beat passes as Jinx stares into my eyes, seemingly trying to figure out how serious I am being.

Evidently he likes what he sees, because he soon bursts out laughing.

Not a pleasant laugh mind you, but the kind of malicious, schadenfreude only present in those enjoying the suffering of others.

I find it to be quite pleasant to the ears.

"Hahaha, well, sucks to be him I guess. Sure, I can tell you where to find him, but what do I get in return?" He asks.

Now, obviously I expected to have to pay for the information, that's why I brought a few thousands dollars.

I have no idea how much information is supposed to cost.

However, I've just gotten an even better idea.

"Hmm, how about an invitation?" I ask, forgetting my earlier thoughts of being in a hurry as soon as an entertaining idea presents itself.

Jinx's unmasked face squints in suspicion at me, his blue eyes being surprisingly expressive in showing his distrust.

"An invitation to what exactly?" He carefully asks of me.

"I'm glad you asked~ it's quite simple really~ I'm founding a new group, and I'm inviting you to join~ isn't that great?"

Belatedly, I realise that I'm not focused on Equaliser anymore and am dragging myself back into playing the game, but I don't really mind.

Whatever response I was expecting from Jinx, it certainly wasn't the deadpan expression that I got.

"I'm not sure if you've noticed, but there 𝘪𝘴 a reason that nobody wants me in their organisations." Comes his dry response as he raises his arms to his sides, gesturing to the bar around us and it's rather poor state.

Though, that's an understatement, it really is falling apart at the seams.

"What is that reason anyway? I've not exactly been in the city for long, so I'm not familiar with everyone just yet~ care to fill me in?~"

He just snorts and picks his bottle back up and takes another swig.

"My power is aptly named Misfortune. It basically just makes it so that everyone around me, myself included has really shitty luck. Honestly, it's a miracle I'm even still alive at this point."

Huh, I guess that makes sense then.

Also, doesn't that mean his power affects causality? Though to be fair, it could be more along the lines of large scale telekinesis tied to some kind of precognition.

That would be more convoluted, but it would at least make more sense than fucking with causality.

Still, that is certainly a fun power.

"So you see now why I am a rogue, and why no one wants me in their organisations?" The self-deprecation in his voice is plain to hear and it makes me smile a little bit further.

"Yeah~ I totally understand. I'd definitely not want someone like you in any organisation I was a part of.~"

Right as I notice the well hidden disappointment and hurt flash through his eyes, I speak up again before he can.

"It's a good thing I'm not inviting you to a proper organisation then, isn't it?~"

I watch as Jinx pauses with his mouth open to speak as my words register in his brain and stop him short.

After the moment passes, Jinx adopts a pensive frown that I find adorably amusing, as he considers me with frustration evident on his face.

"...What exactly are you getting at?" He all but demands.

Leaning back slightly, I reach behind me to where I had my actual mask hidden and bring it forward.

"Allow me to properly introduce myself~ I am Tear!~ Founder of the Clowns!~ It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance!~" I cheerfully introduce myself as I put my mask on my face, fully in character now.

"And how exactly is this group different to other organisations? Also, why Clowns?" He asks, sounding dubious but I feel like I also hear a little bit of hope in there.

With his power being what it is, he must be pretty lonely, or, even worse, bored.

Now, time for the sales pitch, because having an information broker on board would seriously be awesome.

"Simple~ because it is not really an organisation, rather it's more like a club. A network of likeminded individuals, each with something of their own to offer the others, be it resources or information or simple muscle. All so that we may each indulge in our singular goal.~"

At this point my excitement at the very idea that I have envisioned in my mind has caused me to raise my voice as I start pacing around in front of Jinx, orating my thoughts with undisguised passion.

"Why Clowns, you ask?~ Well, that goes back to what I just said~ the common link that brings us together, the single goal that our lovely group of troublemakers will peruse?! It's actually really simple you see. The purpose of our group is just to have fun~ to spread chaos and destruction and to revel in it!"

Panting slightly from my little passionate speech, I round on Jinx, pinning him down with my glowing blood red transformed eyes, I approach him and lean forward on the counter until my face is only a few inches away from his.

"After all~", I whisper, "Clowns always get the last laugh.~"

I can tell that he's almost convinced. I can practically 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 the effect my words have had on him.

He just needs a little.. push.

So, with my voice still a whisper, I keep talking. Tempting him in a fashion not unlike the devil offering a deal.

"Just think about it~ ever since you triggered, misfortune has followed you everywhere, locking you in a crappy building like this just to survive. Don't you want to truly 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦? Even better, don't you want the world to understand the struggle you've faced? All you have to do is take up a Clown themed mask, and you can do away with this boring life of yours. You could use the information you gather to secretly set up cape fights and stir chaos. Maybe even start a gang war? Doesn't that just seem so much 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 than the life you live right now? So much more fun?"

Here, I finally back off, letting him digest my words and come to a decision.

A few minutes pass in silence as he considers my offer.

Eventually, he seems to have made his decision, and I'm sure that even through both of my masks, my smile must be 𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘱𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦.

"If- if I join you. What exactly will that mean for me? What responsibilities will I have? How will this work?" He asks, his voice a mix of cautious and excited.

Bleh, responsibilities.

"Nothing like that~ as I said, this is not an organisation. There is no structure, no leadership. If you join then all that is required of you is that you have a 'Clown identity', whether it's separate from your other identities or not is up to you. The whole point of the group is to be free and have fun, so just do whatever you want but with the knowledge that if you need help, then so long as what you need help with is fun, then you can come to the group and someone will probably want to take part in the fun. In a way, you could just consider the group something akin to a group of friends."

Jinx blinks dumbly at my explanation, before retorting with a confused expression on his face.

"Wait, so you're telling me that all I need to do is get a clown mask and that's it? No responsibilities, so quotas, no nothing? I just continue doing whatever I want?"

I give a little chuckle at his words before shrugging noncommittedly.

"I hate being bored. I decided to found the group for two reasons." I say, holding up two fingers before lowering one as I continue speaking.

"One, is for when my boredom eventually gets the better of me again and I end up doing something dumb and getting in over my head I can know that there are people who might be willing to give me a hand. The other reason is again that I hate being bored and I figure that if I am a part of a group of people, all of whom simply want to enjoy themselves, then I am far more likely to be invited to entertaining situations."

Jinx once again stares at me for a moment in bafflement before he simply nods to himself.

"Huh. Alright then, sure, I'll join." He confirms, making me happy.

"Awesome! Welcome to the troupe!" I cheer, giving him a double thumbs up that makes him laugh.

However his laughter trails off rather awkwardly after a moment.

"So uhh, what now?" He asks, scratching the back of his head.

"Nothing much really. Depends if you want to join as Jinx or if you want to create someone new. Personally I'd say it'd be better to do the latter, as you will probably still be spending most of your time as Jinx, since you'll only need to be a Clown when acting as a Clown, e.g. when you're causing mayhem and chaos and stuff."

We then spend a moment just chatting. We talk about what his Clown mask might look like while also making sure to exchange numbers so we can actually contact each other.

I mean sure, he isn't much. But it's more a proof of concept, that some people will be willing to join me.

It's just a case of finding the right people.

Speaking of finding the right people, I snap my fingers as I remember why I came here in the first place, drawing Jinx's attention with the sudden movement.

"Right! I totally forgot, but the whole reason I even came here was to learn where I could find Equaliser. Mind pointing me in the right direction?"

Like a lightbulb going off, recognition strikes Jinx as he too remembers the start of this conversation.

"Right, you did say something about that. Sure, I can help, though I am still curious as to why you want him dead so badly?"

I simply offer him a one shouldered shrug in response, speaking lightly.

"I'm just finishing the job. His family hurt me so I am going to wipe them from the face of the earth, simple as that."

The room once more falls to silence as my words hang in the air.

"You know, you're actually quite scary."

Heh.

"Damn right I am.~ Now, I believe you were telling me where I can find someone?"

With that, Jinx doesn't delay any further and starts filling me in on the information that I want.

Twenty minutes later and I am leaving Helter Skelter with a smile on my face and a skip in my step.

-----------------------------

A/N: He~llo! Dear readers!

Pls gib powr stones and reviews :-{

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