Amazing flash of headcanon.

[bookofjohn]

[He's tugging on his hat dear_mun. He's tugging on his hat.]

So you figured out - what? Some great big insight? What the fuck do you think you know? What the fuck do you think you know?!

There's always someone thinking that they know and you...you don't know you don't.

[And to himself] I could have saved him if I'd had the time. If they'd called me and not who they called instead.

[And out of nowhere the nastiest, most amused, sneer.] Well of course she's not talking she's one of them.

Comments

youuuuu rang?

[penniespenniespennies]

Look at you, talking behind everyone's backs like a big shot. That's not very polite, Johnny boy!

Calling collect even!

[bookofjohn]

[John jumps back] don't sneak up on me!

you couldn't spare a quarter? :(

[penniespenniespennies]

Whaaaat, I can't be behind yours?

[Look at this face John. :( can you really tell this face what it can and can't do?]

hard times dude.

[bookofjohn]

[John's eyes narrow] Like I'd trust any of you...people behind me. The clown wants to practically molest me and you.

What do you want?

[painteddoll]

[Yes, yes, do share, Johnny and friend! What might you know? Doll tiptoes closer and puckers her lips. We don't want to molest anyone - well, that's a lie, where's Scorpion? - but we'll give a kiss for a sinner's story!]

[bookofjohn]

[It's hard not to want to spout out headcanons when you're surrounded by other players watching canons, livestreaming canons even. And when the little clown was supposed to be talking Johnny's writer came to obvious conclusions.]

Not you. Not again. Get away from me. [One step back]

[because a man that broken had to have failed both as a man and as a father-but it's the failure in a profession that hurts more when someone's guilty of grief but someone's sin is pride. Oh how his writer could go on.

His hand goes to his ear]

[painteddoll]

[Trot, trot, trot. Doll doesn't give John long to back up before she closes the space again. Hands linked behind her back, she blows another kiss.

Not fair. She gave him plenty of opportunities to get the same from her. He could even tear off her ear, if he so desired!]

[bookofjohn]

[A hand curls into a fist at his side. It uncoils and he shoves her away unceremoniously- and hard.]

Not again goddamnit!

[Once upon a time though he would have said yes, a quiet word and a drink and a few stories because that was the kind of man who he was until Leslie. Leslie who showed up at his door hand on her belly and the words "It's yours" with no test to be sure.

Doing the right thing with women got you nowhere]

[painteddoll]

[The push knocks her off-balance, but she teeters only for a moment, before it turns into a pirouette.

It may please John to know that there is no "right" with the Painted Doll. Short of, of course, doing as she commands. Even then, as he found out, she can't be entirely trusted...]

[bookofjohn]

[His lips pull back into a snarl] I've had time to think.

I'm not playing any of your games do you hear me! I'm not, even if I agree with..

[Agree with him? The more time he spends in heaven the more time John wonders just what the hell was so bad about hell anyway apart from the disembodied visions of his son. Lies are worse. Consolation for blatent fucking murder.

This is not something you admit to a woman who tried to eat your head however.

He twists away, hands in his pockets]

[painteddoll]

[Agree? With whom do we agree, Johnny-boy? Certainly not with dear Dolly, who is very willing to pay...nearly the same price you did, for that picture of your little boy...

Spinning back, she runs a delicate finger up his jawline. And tugs on his ear. She can't help it! It was such a good little trick. Others would have laughed.]

[bookofjohn]

[He flinches] W..why are you doing this?

[painteddoll]

[Really? Doll's head tilts to her shoulder, cushioned by the explosion of pink tulle.

Now, it couldn't be because you've been bad now, could it, John-dearest? Or perhaps because we're just a sad, hurt girl who wants to fix her sads by hurting others? Isn't it enough that we like it?

This is Hell, after all. Even if you are in Heaven.]

[bookofjohn]

[He frowns] I didn't do anything wrong!

...I did everything that I was supposed to do. I did everything right it was that...that little..

[There are tears in his eyes] no. I'm not doing it again. I'm not!

[painteddoll]

[Careful, Johnny. Doll extends a finger and puts it to his lips. Shush. But with a smirk on her face.

Rendering those tears to anyone in particular? You're going to get yourself in trouble again. A fall like that might hurt, trust us. And wouldn't God just be so pleased to be rid of you!]

[bookofjohn]

[John straightens.] Little shit.

[There, he said it, and oh how he feels better.] You know I saw your boss. Your leader. Your superior. Can I assume you're all planning something again?

[painteddoll]

Hhhhhsssss. [Doll's jaw clenches so hard her cracks grind and ache. No one, much less any man, speaks that way to her. She lashes out, ready to swipe his cheek with her nails.

It takes her a moment to draw back and easy out of the fury. She makes a sound like a snort of air from her nose to say so what? So what, if we are? No one invited you, redemption boy..]

[bookofjohn]

[His lip curls] Did I hit a nerve there?


[He truly is an arrogant man when not crippled by emotion.]

[painteddoll]

[Trying to push a Dolly around? Oh, yes, John. If there are any organic nerves left in her body, that would be a one to hit.

You don't get that kind of permission.]

[bookofjohn]

[He glares and looks away, disinterested. ]

[painteddoll]

[Well? Fine! If you don't want our kisses, petty man, we'll take them elsewhere for someone else's information.

But John still earns himself a swift kick in the butt from the toe of Doll's shoe.]

[bookofjohn]

[It's comical. It's laughable. He sprawls forward and rolls dramatically, landing on his back and staring openly at the sky.]

[Oh no. Hell no. He crawls back up, glaring at her.] What do you want from me?!!

[painteddoll]

[If only sinners - ah! former sinners came with sound effects, too. A pratfall like that was worthy of at least one or two trills on the trombone.

Crouching forward to peer into his face, Doll expresses her amusement with a wild, open-mouthed grin and a knee-slap. Oh, John. We already told you! She puckers up, once more, and blows him a kiss.]