Hunter's only slightly behind her, and there's a flash of gold that slams the door against the wall as he flickers into his cabin. Flapjack, still a bird on his shoulder, immediately flaps off as Hunter jogs the rest of the space to Taylor, and pauses with one foot on the porch.
"Are you, uh." His hand finds the column, toys with the vine wrapped there. "Are you okay with us being paired?"
"Are you, uh." His hand finds the column, toys with the vine wrapped there. "Are you okay with us being paired?"
Her mouth pressed thin at that, a little color fading from her face. “It’s not- it was enough me. Protecting myself was me. The Passenger didn’t do that.
“She was showing me how to do what I thought I needed, while I forgot how to think, but it was my… my choices.”
“She was showing me how to do what I thought I needed, while I forgot how to think, but it was my… my choices.”
"Well, um." Hunter's expression shifts, a bit softer and tired. "When... when Belos gave me orders, or. Suggestions, for things he wanted done. I was still the one who chose how to act them out. So..."
It was uncomfortable, how weird this felt to try and convey, but maybe it would help? "So. Uh. It doesn't make what we did okay, I think. But... there's a difference. Between doing it because we wanted to, and doing it because we were manipulated not to see how other options existed. Ones that would hurt less people."
It was uncomfortable, how weird this felt to try and convey, but maybe it would help? "So. Uh. It doesn't make what we did okay, I think. But... there's a difference. Between doing it because we wanted to, and doing it because we were manipulated not to see how other options existed. Ones that would hurt less people."
She nods, more to herself than him, and sits down on the edge of the porch, with a glance that asks him to join her.
“I think… there was some of that in me. I’ve definitely made decisions I’d love to blame on her. And she’s been… shaping me, I guess, since before I was born. I’ve spent most of the last year wondering if I’m me at all, or… just her useful little tool.
“But she’s dead, my Passenger. She died over a decade before I was born. I just have… I don’t know, a tiny shred of her ghost stuck up here.” She cups her hand on the peak of her skull. “And she tells me to fight and make sure my people survive - not individuals, she doesn’t know what those are, but my species - and she makes sure I know how to use every tool I’m given… even if those tools are other people, other lives, with their own shreds of her ghost or not… but she’s not alive, and she doesn’t think anything I don’t think.”
“I think… there was some of that in me. I’ve definitely made decisions I’d love to blame on her. And she’s been… shaping me, I guess, since before I was born. I’ve spent most of the last year wondering if I’m me at all, or… just her useful little tool.
“But she’s dead, my Passenger. She died over a decade before I was born. I just have… I don’t know, a tiny shred of her ghost stuck up here.” She cups her hand on the peak of her skull. “And she tells me to fight and make sure my people survive - not individuals, she doesn’t know what those are, but my species - and she makes sure I know how to use every tool I’m given… even if those tools are other people, other lives, with their own shreds of her ghost or not… but she’s not alive, and she doesn’t think anything I don’t think.”
He'll sit down next to her, obviously, close enough to press his thigh against hers - and Flapjack hop-hops into Taylor's lap.
Hunter's hands rest in his lap, fiddling gently together as Taylor talks, watching her with warm concern. "But now you know that," he says quietly. "So you can... start thinking about why you're doing something, instead of just going with it because you believe that every idea in your head belongs to you. Which-" he gives a soft huff. "It's scary, right? Not knowing whether the thoughts in your head are yours or not."
Hunter's hands rest in his lap, fiddling gently together as Taylor talks, watching her with warm concern. "But now you know that," he says quietly. "So you can... start thinking about why you're doing something, instead of just going with it because you believe that every idea in your head belongs to you. Which-" he gives a soft huff. "It's scary, right? Not knowing whether the thoughts in your head are yours or not."
She's glad of the little bird, and offers him cupped hands to settle in. It'll keep her from fidgeting.
"... Yeah. It's been... I learned about the Passenger about three... four days after I got back. A theory, not anything for sure, not for years. Just a theory. But it took root. And prison was a lot... of time to think and try not to think at the same time." Two years, increasingly scared of every decision she made, and where they came from.
"I got a lot from her, after I-" She makes a vague gesture to her head, her hand snapping open in a splay of fingers. "But a lot of it's- I can't understand it. I'm a human and she's a- an Entity. A huge inter-dimensional space slug ghost dancer, fuck if I know. I can't comprehend half of what I got from her."
"... Yeah. It's been... I learned about the Passenger about three... four days after I got back. A theory, not anything for sure, not for years. Just a theory. But it took root. And prison was a lot... of time to think and try not to think at the same time." Two years, increasingly scared of every decision she made, and where they came from.
"I got a lot from her, after I-" She makes a vague gesture to her head, her hand snapping open in a splay of fingers. "But a lot of it's- I can't understand it. I'm a human and she's a- an Entity. A huge inter-dimensional space slug ghost dancer, fuck if I know. I can't comprehend half of what I got from her."
He squeezes her hand back, and takes a moment to breathe; a slow inhale, an even exhale.
"Yeah, well. So can you. We just have to graduate you." He gives her another small smile. "And- if your powers do come back. I'm happy to use my deal for you. To make sure no one can ever use you like that again."
"Yeah, well. So can you. We just have to graduate you." He gives her another small smile. "And- if your powers do come back. I'm happy to use my deal for you. To make sure no one can ever use you like that again."
She ducks her head, her hair falling forward to half-conceal her face.
“I- if I hadn’t fallen off the barge, the deal I wanted would have prevented the whole- all of it. Trillions of people.
“Hunter, if you have the chance to protect lives, that’s what I want you to use your deal for.”
“I- if I hadn’t fallen off the barge, the deal I wanted would have prevented the whole- all of it. Trillions of people.
“Hunter, if you have the chance to protect lives, that’s what I want you to use your deal for.”
She swallows, tilting her head against his again.
”You can change your mind, I won’t hold you to it, but… thank you, Hunter. It…” She extracts her hand from his to spread it on her chest, over her heart. “It just feels so much more possible, already.”
”You can change your mind, I won’t hold you to it, but… thank you, Hunter. It…” She extracts her hand from his to spread it on her chest, over her heart. “It just feels so much more possible, already.”
"You already graduated once," he reminds her, letting his hand rest in his own lap but keeping his head pressed to hers. "I'm sure you can do it again."
Flapjack chirps in agreement, hopping forward and tilting his own head up so he can rest his little birdy chin on Taylor's arm too.
Flapjack chirps in agreement, hopping forward and tilting his own head up so he can rest his little birdy chin on Taylor's arm too.
"...not yet. It didn't feel right." He straightens up again, letting his arm drift to hold Taylor around her waist as he look thoughtfully up at the sky overhead, filled with thick, puffy clouds. "I don't actually know if Adrian read mine at all."
“I never knew how far Rags got in my first one. It’s still in my room.” She gestures up with her chin, towards Deck One.
“This one’s going to be worse,” she says, trying to keep her tone light. “I… I am a murderer.” She sighs, tilting her head back. “I came back here still a warden, but I’m not sure I should have.”
“This one’s going to be worse,” she says, trying to keep her tone light. “I… I am a murderer.” She sighs, tilting her head back. “I came back here still a warden, but I’m not sure I should have.”
Hunter looks back at her, and there's something tired in his brown eyes.
"I don't know how many people I got branded. Or maybe even killed for being wild witches. But maybe we can use that, you know? We know how far we're willing to go, and where the line is. Where we wanted to stop before. We can help other people stop before they cross it."
"I don't know how many people I got branded. Or maybe even killed for being wild witches. But maybe we can use that, you know? We know how far we're willing to go, and where the line is. Where we wanted to stop before. We can help other people stop before they cross it."
He looks down as well, twisting his wrist up slightly.
"I don't know. I never asked."
He was so proud of it once. The youngest Scout to earn it, the youngest Golden Guard. He brushes his fingers lightly across it, and bites down on the irrational urge to claw it off.
"Maybe. There might be something in the Demon Realm, though. Some old wild magic legends about it or something."
"I don't know. I never asked."
He was so proud of it once. The youngest Scout to earn it, the youngest Golden Guard. He brushes his fingers lightly across it, and bites down on the irrational urge to claw it off.
"Maybe. There might be something in the Demon Realm, though. Some old wild magic legends about it or something."
"Really concentrated light, that you can use to burn or cut in very specific ways. I think to take off tattoos, they burn very shallow layers of skin until the tattoo gets destroyed." She shifts her legs a little, glancing down at her calf, but doesn't say anything about the tattoo she had on Earth.
"I think they use glass or crystal lenses to concentrate the light."
"I think they use glass or crystal lenses to concentrate the light."
"I suppose." He can't really talk, as he leads the way inside. "Like, abominations are pretty stupid. But if you get a bunch of upgraded ones together, suddenly it's pretty intense."
Taylor's file is sitting on the side table, looking thick and intimidating, and Hunter's ears twitch down a fraction when he sees it. And he'll pause to look back at her.
"You're sure you're okay with me reading it?"
Taylor's file is sitting on the side table, looking thick and intimidating, and Hunter's ears twitch down a fraction when he sees it. And he'll pause to look back at her.
"You're sure you're okay with me reading it?"
"Yeah." And she is, she's relieved to find. She was more nervous when it was Rags. "I'm okay if you don't want to, too. It's- I'd be willing to tell you anything that might be in there, anyway," she adds, dropping herself into the beanbag chair.
"Even if we weren't paired."
"Even if we weren't paired."
She’s in no hurry. She lets her in, with a gesture to the picnic table in Kiryu’s walled yard. It’s mostly sand, with a verge of flower garden to support the little beehive tucked against one wall. There’s a very large dog on the porch, square-muzzled and gray spotted, who lifts her head to give Shaw a critical look. The hen scratching in one corner cares much less.
“Do you want coffee? Tea?” Taylor asks, her expression blank but with worried eyes.
“Do you want coffee? Tea?” Taylor asks, her expression blank but with worried eyes.
If she thinks about it too hard, most spaces on the Barge can wig Shaw out, which is why she never lets herself think about it too hard. Some places are harder to swallow than others, though, and this one - with its impeccable outdoor feel, its obvious fakery - gets to her more than most. She freezes in the doorway for a second or two, going blank and still and rigid, then forces herself to step into the cabin.
"I'm good. No, actually, uh-- coffee. Sure."
She watches the dog, though doesn't try to approach or hold a hand out the way she normally would. She can appreciate an animal who is skeptical of strangers.
"I'm good. No, actually, uh-- coffee. Sure."
She watches the dog, though doesn't try to approach or hold a hand out the way she normally would. She can appreciate an animal who is skeptical of strangers.
“Coffee.” Taylor nods, and steps up onto the wooden house’s porch, sliding open the broad door and nudging the dog with one foot. She heaves herself up onto her long legs and goes inside, while Taylor looks back at Shaw. “No one else is home, looks like, so want to sit inside or out?”
In response, Shaw walks stiffly towards the house, her eyes fixed downwards towards the-- floor? Ground? She's not sure how to think of it.
"It was a phone call," she says dully. "From your dad, giving you the news; does that sound familiar? You were at my... your friend's house. I think."
"It was a phone call," she says dully. "From your dad, giving you the news; does that sound familiar? You were at my... your friend's house. I think."
Keeping her hands busy making coffee for Shaw and Tea for herself is good, for Taylor, and she keeps her head down over it.
"... yeah. Tessa- I..." She pauses, feeling for what she can remember. "Tessa drove me to the hospital."
"I... I remember being in the car, but I know I wasn't," she says at last, bringing Shaw her coffee, and sitting in the chair beside hers, rather than across.
"... yeah. Tessa- I..." She pauses, feeling for what she can remember. "Tessa drove me to the hospital."
"I... I remember being in the car, but I know I wasn't," she says at last, bringing Shaw her coffee, and sitting in the chair beside hers, rather than across.
"No, you weren't there. Dad called you; that's the first you heard about it. But, later, I think--"
Belatedly, she notices the coffee for the first time and reaches out to take it.
"You saw it. In a dream...?"
No, that doesn't feel right.
"A simulation."
Belatedly, she notices the coffee for the first time and reaches out to take it.
"You saw it. In a dream...?"
No, that doesn't feel right.
"A simulation."
"And I feel that."
She presses her palm to her chest, pumping the heel of it against her skin. "You feel it, it's right there at the forefront, you know what it is."
She takes a sip of her coffee, finally, and then declares, "Kinda sucks."
She might have some decidedly mixed feelings about her own emotional difficulties, but all in all? She's perfectly relieved not to normally feel fear.
She presses her palm to her chest, pumping the heel of it against her skin. "You feel it, it's right there at the forefront, you know what it is."
She takes a sip of her coffee, finally, and then declares, "Kinda sucks."
She might have some decidedly mixed feelings about her own emotional difficulties, but all in all? She's perfectly relieved not to normally feel fear.
She nods, a little jerky.
"My- my dad blamed me, for my mom. I was supposed to answer my phone, she was trying to reach me... He knew better, but-" Her shoulder lifts in a shrug. "He did. And he told someone who told someone who told me. And I- did not have the inner... I don't know. Distance, I guess. To know that he was wrong. So I was afraid he was right. For years, every time I thought something good about myself. How could I ever do the right thing, when I'd killed my own mom? A huge meal of fear, for whoever ran that particular simulation for me."
"My- my dad blamed me, for my mom. I was supposed to answer my phone, she was trying to reach me... He knew better, but-" Her shoulder lifts in a shrug. "He did. And he told someone who told someone who told me. And I- did not have the inner... I don't know. Distance, I guess. To know that he was wrong. So I was afraid he was right. For years, every time I thought something good about myself. How could I ever do the right thing, when I'd killed my own mom? A huge meal of fear, for whoever ran that particular simulation for me."
"When my dad died - that was the first time I realized how different I was from other people. When I started to realize how I'd never be what they... expected of me."
And she felt that failure over and over, until she joined the Marines and realized how perfect combat was for someone like her. Until she, eventually, found her team, and realized that it was possible for someone like her to be cared for and understood.
"How about now? You ever end up cultivating that inner distance?"
And she felt that failure over and over, until she joined the Marines and realized how perfect combat was for someone like her. Until she, eventually, found her team, and realized that it was possible for someone like her to be cared for and understood.
"How about now? You ever end up cultivating that inner distance?"
"I did. A lot of my graduation was learning what is my fault, or my duty, or my burden, and what is not." She looks aside at Shaw.
"I've met a lot of kids who'd just lost parents. There isn't a way they react. Some cry. Some rage. Some trigger." She shrugs a shoulder. "Some don't seem to notice, for a long time afterwards."
"I've met a lot of kids who'd just lost parents. There isn't a way they react. Some cry. Some rage. Some trigger." She shrugs a shoulder. "Some don't seem to notice, for a long time afterwards."
"I've been... told... by people who are good at picking up on and reading emotions that there's something there. But me?"
Shaw shrugs, a bit stiffly but with no sign of offense taken at the question. Bluntness is a thing she can appreciate.
"No, I couldn't feel it. Not ever."
Shaw shrugs, a bit stiffly but with no sign of offense taken at the question. Bluntness is a thing she can appreciate.
"No, I couldn't feel it. Not ever."
Taylor, hi. I-- people at home called you Skitter, right?
Then the memory I got is one you've told me about. Brian...? Do you, um-- remember any part of what happened to him?
Okay. I have an idea about how to handle this, but-- it's your memory, so you should get a say, obviously! What if I give you an overview first, you know, to prepare you, and then really get into the nitty-gritty?
Of course not. Your cabin - I mean, Kiryu's cabin - or someplace else?
Edited 2023-05-01 21:35 (UTC)
Sure, but, that's not too public?
[She's already on her way, though, the sound of footfalls audible in the background.]
[She's already on her way, though, the sound of footfalls audible in the background.]
It's just--
[Misty says, rising from her perch on the couch when she sees Taylor coming.]
This is a very sensitive memory. I want to be sensitive to that.
[Misty says, rising from her perch on the couch when she sees Taylor coming.]
This is a very sensitive memory. I want to be sensitive to that.
That's kind. But this is just fine.
[Taylor's a bit bed-headish, but alert enough. Angelica is still sleepy, loping along at her side, but steps forward to give Misty a good snuffing as Taylor drops into the other end of the couch.]
I know how bad it was. And that we made some bad decisions. I just... don't remember what.
[Taylor's a bit bed-headish, but alert enough. Angelica is still sleepy, loping along at her side, but steps forward to give Misty a good snuffing as Taylor drops into the other end of the couch.]
I know how bad it was. And that we made some bad decisions. I just... don't remember what.
He was ripped... apart.
[Misty says carefully, taking a seat again an crossing her legs.]
Split ribcage, skin stripped, organs... wrong. The works.
[Misty says carefully, taking a seat again an crossing her legs.]
Split ribcage, skin stripped, organs... wrong. The works.
When Taylor goes to leave at the end of the night, Tim comes up beside her with an easy grin.
"You mind if I walk you home?"
"You mind if I walk you home?"
He keeps pace with Taylor, of course, sticking to her bad side so she has something to lean on if she wants.
"Too bad it had to be in the middle of a flood, but beggars can't be choosers. Least we could play in this one."
"Too bad it had to be in the middle of a flood, but beggars can't be choosers. Least we could play in this one."
"Suppose that's the trick, isn't it? If you lose something you care about, you wouldn't even know it."
He puts his arm around her shoulders in a brief squeeze, and leaves it there. Loose in case she wants to pull away. "Pretty sure I've got one of yours, actually."
He puts his arm around her shoulders in a brief squeeze, and leaves it there. Loose in case she wants to pull away. "Pretty sure I've got one of yours, actually."
"Well, I'm not a small American criminal girl," he points out wryly. "Do you know how easy it's been identifying the ones that aren't mine when everyone's pasty as hell?"
That makes her snort, holding her arm up next to his. Pasty is definitely a word for it, especially now that she no longer spends time in the greenhouse.
"Advantage to you. I got one of B's and the only way I was sure it wasn't mine is who 'I' was talking to."
"Advantage to you. I got one of B's and the only way I was sure it wasn't mine is who 'I' was talking to."
He just raises an eyebrow; even his palm is darker than the top of her arm, when he turns his hand upright.
"This one wasn't talking, but." He lifts his hand, delicately ghosting his fingers through her hair. Avoiding the scar. "Someone giving you prep for prison, I think. Checking your hair for bugs."
"This one wasn't talking, but." He lifts his hand, delicately ghosting his fingers through her hair. Avoiding the scar. "Someone giving you prep for prison, I think. Checking your hair for bugs."
He moves his hand back to her shoulder for another soft squeeze against his side.
"It felt like you knew what you were getting yourself into," he comments gently. "You didn't seem scared or upset. Just... kind of resigned for it. The guard wasn't particularly gentle about it, though."
"It felt like you knew what you were getting yourself into," he comments gently. "You didn't seem scared or upset. Just... kind of resigned for it. The guard wasn't particularly gentle about it, though."
"Definitely resigned. I'd been outed - no more secret identity. I-" Her mouth twists, wry. "So, it's a very long story, but two evil clones of me told the heroes who I am, and- some things I'd done..." She grimaces at herself for weaseling out of telling him, but goes on.
"I could have kept going as Skitter, but I would have had to do something about my father, and Dinah had told me I couldn't remain with my old team anyway, which I knew, and I knew I needed a longer reach than just Brockton Bay, so I rolled the dice. Turned myself in, to make the PRT take me and what I had to say seriously.
"They assumed it was some kind of power play or trick, which I understand, so they were really suspicious."
"I could have kept going as Skitter, but I would have had to do something about my father, and Dinah had told me I couldn't remain with my old team anyway, which I knew, and I knew I needed a longer reach than just Brockton Bay, so I rolled the dice. Turned myself in, to make the PRT take me and what I had to say seriously.
"They assumed it was some kind of power play or trick, which I understand, so they were really suspicious."
The only concession to Tim knowing she's glossing over a decent chunk of explanation is the brief tightening of his mouth in one corner, but he doesn't interrupt or follow it.
"I wish I could assume that went well for you, but." This one gets a full mouth press, as he tightens his grip for a moment in solidarity. "Yeah."
"I wish I could assume that went well for you, but." This one gets a full mouth press, as he tightens his grip for a moment in solidarity. "Yeah."
"It went overall well," she can at least say. "The first day went bad... body-count bad," she admits, steeling herself to feel him let go. "But I wound up where I needed to be. Most of the charges got dropped, I got two years work-release, in a normal prison, not the Birdcage. And they added me to the Wards. Officially a hero."
Tim does not let go. He just runs his hand up and down her bicep in a soothing motion.
"Sorry it didn't get to last," he hums.
"Sorry it didn't get to last," he hums.
I have a question for you, about healing your arm.
But I want to make sure you'll say no if you want to. You don't have to agree, because you being comfortable is the most important thing to me.
But I want to make sure you'll say no if you want to. You don't have to agree, because you being comfortable is the most important thing to me.
Perhaps. But it's your body, and you're allowed to. The question wasn't when. It will happen when you tell me you're ready.
I was talking to the newest doctor on board about healing spells, in case there are ever injuries he and Hunter aren't able to handle without magic. I offered to demonstrate, but I didn't have you in mind when I said it. I was planning to use myself for some spells and a fish for everything I'm not willing to inflict on myself.
So it's alright to say no. But if you don't mind him there when I heal you, we could offer.
That's...
That's a little of why I've been putting it off. This feels like my body. [Her gesture only includes herself from the waist up, but does include the burnt shoulder.]
I've already got big parts that don't.
I want two hands again, I'm just- nervous it won't feel like mine.
That's a little of why I've been putting it off. This feels like my body. [Her gesture only includes herself from the waist up, but does include the burnt shoulder.]
I've already got big parts that don't.
I want two hands again, I'm just- nervous it won't feel like mine.
Do you want to try something different? Someone to build you an arm rather than me singing one that's flesh and blood?
[Because that's an option too, and Taylor deserves the choice.]
Whatever you decide, I support you. Because that isn't a fear I can answer.
Alright.
Where do you want to do this, and do you want us to be alone for it?
(deleted comment)
Do you want to do it tomorrow? Let me know where you'd be most comfortable.
And of course I don't mind if Hunter's there. Anyone you want would be alright, and I like him.
Not quite so bloody, I won't worry about you bleeding out if I don't finish quickly enough. But I will want your blood for the spell, and it's complex and painful.
I can clean up wherever we do it, though. That spell is one of the simplest.
Of course I don't mind, love. Anywhere but Zero would do.
My grotto doesn't bother you the rest of the time, does it? [Because she'd get her cabin changed, for that. Taylor is worth it.]
I'm glad. I'm fond of the grotto, though not as fond as I am of you. I'd change it, and do new mosaics in a different sort of room, if I needed to.
I can't quiet the worries that your arm will feel strange and foreign. When my tail changed... [She shakes her head.] I move differently now, and it was a reminder of what I lost for awhile. It stoked the rage in my heart and my hunger for revenge.
You know better than anyone that I chose it, eventually. But I know what it's like not to feel at home in your own skin.
All I can do is let you choose. Whether to try the spell. Where you want to be, and who you want with you. I want you to feel as safe as we can manage.
Even if it does, I’ll get used to it. I’m used to- [she stops herself with a twist of her mouth, because that’s not fully true.]
I’m getting used to the half of me that Panacea had to make. It’s fine, it all works, it doesn’t feel any different, but it’s weird… I don’t know what she made it of. Not of me, I was- it was gone.
So, knowing will help, I guess is what I’m saying.
I’m getting used to the half of me that Panacea had to make. It’s fine, it all works, it doesn’t feel any different, but it’s weird… I don’t know what she made it of. Not of me, I was- it was gone.
So, knowing will help, I guess is what I’m saying.
Edited 2023-05-04 03:13 (UTC)
Your blood and my magic. Nothing else.
It isn't only with my sacred knife that spilling mortal blood is forbidden, you know. I've killed human men and women before, the night I drowned the city of Söndermane in a fit of pain and grief and rage. Two were injured in my storm on deck here. And I condoned a murder that Roffe committed. I had that boy's death on my knife and my conscience, if not my hands.
But you're still the only mortal whose blood I've spilled by my own hands, on purpose. You make it feel safe to leave behind the last vestiges of sildroher law. To choose something new, with what feels right to me.
Did you see Kikimora's request for help? I have to go after her, she's my inmate this month, but someone needs to find out what happened to Hunter, too. She said he was eaten.
I'm sorry I can't be with you. Will you be alright? Can you get someone to help track him?
I'm sorry I can't be with you. Will you be alright? Can you get someone to help track him?
[Taylor was not alright. But it takes her just long enough to calm down and answer this that she's heard from Hunter in the meantime, so she's stiff and angry, but not collapsing.]
I'm talking to him. He doesn't want me coming after him.
Kikimora says she has Flapjack. If she doesn't still have him when you find her, I need to know immediately.
I'm talking to him. He doesn't want me coming after him.
Kikimora says she has Flapjack. If she doesn't still have him when you find her, I need to know immediately.
Of course. I'll find out as soon as we find her, and let you know.
And I'll be back as soon as I can, love.
Take someone with you if you do, please?
I'm about to meet Iris's inmate, John. He says he can sense her, so we should find Kikimora sooner rather than later. I could ask if he can sense Hunter too, if need be.
what are you doing?
[It's not unusual to receive random Hunter texts with zero context: sometimes he's just excited about his study, or wants to catch up when they're doing separate things.
It's less often he knows the answer, and is mostly messaging her to see what she says.]
[It's not unusual to receive random Hunter texts with zero context: sometimes he's just excited about his study, or wants to catch up when they're doing separate things.
It's less often he knows the answer, and is mostly messaging her to see what she says.]
[Taylor doesn't answer instantly, because she's having a frustrating moment trying to figure out how to make this look like a crest of feathers, and not a weird cone hat on a very blocky bird-thing. Carving is harder than she'd hoped.]
disappointing myself and my summer camp counselors. you?
disappointing myself and my summer camp counselors. you?
[His response is a photo of his scroll, and the most recent uploaded pic: it's of Taylor, a few minutes prior, like someone was standing beside her to take the photo, curled up around her carving like a cranky mother griffin.]
watching you disappoint your summer camp counselors
watching you disappoint your summer camp counselors
[that works for her. She sets her communicator on the deck beside her legs, and goes back to carving away tiny slivers of wood, trying to fix that shape.]
I don’t want a bird - no offense, Flap. I’m just practicing technique. Trying to get the shapes to come out kind of like I picture in my head.
I don’t want a bird - no offense, Flap. I’m just practicing technique. Trying to get the shapes to come out kind of like I picture in my head.
If we'd gotten here... [She pauses for a moment, the top of her tongue between her teeth as she carefully makes another shallow curving cut, and then continues.]
- before I went home, I'd probably have gone for a bee. Or a gu. Though I bet they're both hard to carve.
- before I went home, I'd probably have gone for a bee. Or a gu. Though I bet they're both hard to carve.
Give me a few minutes, just gotta wait for Dr. Reid.
[But it's not long, and for once he races out the door rather than linger and chat with the other doctor. And Flapjack finds her first, giving a loud cheep before he settles in to land on her knee, examining the attempted palisman with intense curiosity.
And Hunter's there a moment later to sit down beside her.]
How's it going now?
[But it's not long, and for once he races out the door rather than linger and chat with the other doctor. And Flapjack finds her first, giving a loud cheep before he settles in to land on her knee, examining the attempted palisman with intense curiosity.
And Hunter's there a moment later to sit down beside her.]
How's it going now?
Flapjack bounces as he tilts his head, flicking his tail and head to try and match the angles on the knobby first attempt.
Hunter just chuckles, as he gently takes the result and the chisel.
"I've done some research on palismen before, but- not as much on carving." He still looks the work over curiously. "But I'm pretty sure you're meant to follow the grain - see the direction the wood lines go?" He points out a trail of them going sideways across a 'wing'. "You're meant to carve with them, not into them."
Hunter just chuckles, as he gently takes the result and the chisel.
"I've done some research on palismen before, but- not as much on carving." He still looks the work over curiously. "But I'm pretty sure you're meant to follow the grain - see the direction the wood lines go?" He points out a trail of them going sideways across a 'wing'. "You're meant to carve with them, not into them."
"Probably. Here."
He picks up a new piece of wood, giving it a look over. "You see how you can count the rings, on this side?" He shows her the underside, where they're visible, before he adjusts it in his hand to have his own turn practising. "I think the idea is you're kind of peeling those off."
Granted, he's not technically that much better than Taylor, but the bark does seem to peel back a lot more easily than how she's been doing it, even if it still comes off in chunky fits and bursts.
He picks up a new piece of wood, giving it a look over. "You see how you can count the rings, on this side?" He shows her the underside, where they're visible, before he adjusts it in his hand to have his own turn practising. "I think the idea is you're kind of peeling those off."
Granted, he's not technically that much better than Taylor, but the bark does seem to peel back a lot more easily than how she's been doing it, even if it still comes off in chunky fits and bursts.
"Right. Plus, palistrom wood is magic. This is- purely conjecture," he adds, a little sheepishly, as he starts trying to build a rough blocky shape with the wood - he keeps glancing over at Flapjack for reference, trying to keep the wood from getting too small. "But apparently it might be possible that when you're carving the wood, the palisman can feel you trying to create them."
Flapjack shakes his head, and chirps a few times, conversationally, and Hunter nods as the bird pauses, bringing his wing up to his beak like he's scratching his chin, and then tweets again.
"...he says he remembers waking up, and meeting the person who carved him, but that was... a really long time ago," Hunter translates. "That... maybe being carved is what being hatched from an egg feels like."
"...he says he remembers waking up, and meeting the person who carved him, but that was... a really long time ago," Hunter translates. "That... maybe being carved is what being hatched from an egg feels like."
Taylor has to press her lips thin for a moment, because the little chin-scratch is too cute. Bird please.
"Well, afraid I don't have a- don't have a good frame of reference for that, either." She does have to pause, a flicker of memory needing squished, but she shakes it off and smiles. "Thought I'd ask, though."
"Well, afraid I don't have a- don't have a good frame of reference for that, either." She does have to pause, a flicker of memory needing squished, but she shakes it off and smiles. "Thought I'd ask, though."
Hi. Taylor? I've been in a coma, which is why I've been out of touch - obviously, hahaha! But I wanted to check in and see how you're doing! How are you doing?
I did, thank you for asking! Are, um-- have other friends of yours been down, too?
Can I... do anything to help? You, I mean.
Well, I can't promise that, obviously, but I can... do my best? Do you need anything a little less passive from me?
I would love to have lunch. Would you like to come to my cabin? We can bring food here and you can see the rats.
Oh, he feels that sharp, choking flash of fear from Shen Jiye, and only a fraction of a second later absorbs both its reason and the fear itself. And as his did reaches out for Taylor mei he joins him, the span of only fractions of a second enough to tell himself, over and over and, that he would have felt her loss, known if she were gone, even as the fear that this time he might not almost chokes him.
And then she's there, her mind blooming open like a flower turned to the sun, bright and warm and alive, and full of hope and joy that he can't help but echo back to her at her news. He has nothing to offer but love and pride and happiness for her second graduation, and the touch of his mind against them both is in every way but the physical a strong, warm embrace. He doesn't have to tell either of them how unreservedly happy he is for her, and so he just lets them feel it.
And then she's there, her mind blooming open like a flower turned to the sun, bright and warm and alive, and full of hope and joy that he can't help but echo back to her at her news. He has nothing to offer but love and pride and happiness for her second graduation, and the touch of his mind against them both is in every way but the physical a strong, warm embrace. He doesn't have to tell either of them how unreservedly happy he is for her, and so he just lets them feel it.
The fear melts into hope and warmth as well as he smiles in his nest of odds and ends. He returns the feel of that warm hug from his gege, a soft and light brush of fingers tugging on braids over the hope he's the nest to find this happiness, and then focuses back on T.
I'm so happy for you, meimei. Are you... do you want to come to the Greenhouse? We've been busy.
I'm so happy for you, meimei. Are you... do you want to come to the Greenhouse? We've been busy.
Not at the moment, but I will be there soon, if you wish. He absolutely wants to join them, but he wants to give didi time to share all he's done to care for her bugs while she couldn't first.
It's just me right now, meimei. He thinks he gets what gege wanted to do by giving them a little time first.
I'll be right there.
And she is, in just a few minutes, running light-footed with Scraps at her heels. She all but sprints to hug him, arms tight around her brother.
The Greenhouse isn't hers anymore, and it's not been easy for her to come, but that's miles away from her mind right now.
And she is, in just a few minutes, running light-footed with Scraps at her heels. She all but sprints to hug him, arms tight around her brother.
The Greenhouse isn't hers anymore, and it's not been easy for her to come, but that's miles away from her mind right now.
He felt her coming, the light taste of her mind against his, but even so there's a slight tensing to his shoulders that he manages to dismiss shortly. Then he turns a little to hug her back, the small deep spider sitting on a loop of his braids making a little click sound like a lady sniffing at inappropriate behavior.
"Meimei, and is this your Scraps?"
"Meimei, and is this your Scraps?"
She gives him a very firm squeeze before stepping back, and Scraps runs up her leg to be scooped into her arms and held out for inspection.
"Scraps, meet Didi. Shen Jiye, my brother."
The ferretipede elongates, leaning far out from Taylor's hands to sniff at him, and chirps. Another magic man?
Taylor glances down at her, brows raised. "She says you smell like... dreams?"
"Scraps, meet Didi. Shen Jiye, my brother."
The ferretipede elongates, leaning far out from Taylor's hands to sniff at him, and chirps. Another magic man?
Taylor glances down at her, brows raised. "She says you smell like... dreams?"
He bows to Scraps with a smile, then reached up to the spider to gently untangle it and set it on a branch to scurry off towards the others.
"Dreams? I suppose I do have some of that skill in my fingers. Can she sense our abilities?"
"Dreams? I suppose I do have some of that skill in my fingers. Can she sense our abilities?"
"Ah, I see. Then she's right, I am sometimes in your dreams."
He holds out his hand for Scraps, eyebrows raised to see what she would do even as a few dull blue moths came to settle on his shoulder.
He holds out his hand for Scraps, eyebrows raised to see what she would do even as a few dull blue moths came to settle on his shoulder.
Without any hesitation at all, she scampers from Taylor's hands up onto his, up his arm to see if the moths scatter.
"Something I've very glad of.
"From something Hunter showed me, I think I actually graduated the moment she woke," she says, more softly.
"Something I've very glad of.
"From something Hunter showed me, I think I actually graduated the moment she woke," she says, more softly.
The moths don't scatter completely, only lazily move to sit on his braid. Scraps does disturb his gu though, which sticks its head out from under the fold of his shirt and makes a tiny screeching sound.
"Is she a sign of you accepting pieces of yourself including the bad parts?"
"Is she a sign of you accepting pieces of yourself including the bad parts?"
Taylor laughs, the sound easy. Younger than she usually sounds.
"Palismen need to know what you want in your life. Which means I needed to realize what I want.
"Hunter and I were talking about my feelings for Rags. Rags decided he's not staying on his world, which means I'm not going to his world. I was mad. Because I wanted to go fight that war."
"Palismen need to know what you want in your life. Which means I needed to realize what I want.
"Hunter and I were talking about my feelings for Rags. Rags decided he's not staying on his world, which means I'm not going to his world. I was mad. Because I wanted to go fight that war."
"And what you want isn't something that you think you want, at least not deep down."
He reached up to give the palismen a skritch under her chin. "I can understand it if you were going to help, but not if you were going just to fight. There is a difference."
He reached up to give the palismen a skritch under her chin. "I can understand it if you were going to help, but not if you were going just to fight. There is a difference."
"It's not you, at least not the you I can feel inside," he replied softly, giving her a tiny little smile. "Please tell me you didn't go yelling t him about it."
"Stuck with it, but I think it's also better for you. Meimei, fighting forever isn't always an answer." And he makes a face, waving a hand at the scattering of moths as they drift over. "Not that I'm the best person to speak on this."
"There's no question it's better for me." But she doesn't quite keep the sourness out of it. "He's setting up a home for us in Kamurocho instead. Japan, Earth. We'll live near Dad.
"Not like there won't be fighting there - I mean, you've met Dad - but not the sort I've gotten used to."
"Not like there won't be fighting there - I mean, you've met Dad - but not the sort I've gotten used to."
"Oh meimei," he says softly and just leans over to hug her. "I know. But sometimes, needing to let go is a good thing."
That she dreams of water after the river of Death is probably predictable. But it's far from the quiet, insistent current of that place.
It's impact, water as hard as stone, driving no breath from her body because she had none-
has-
she has-
she has no-
She's sinking, the water red as dawn, lit from above by gold so bright it's painful, hurts in all the places that water is intruding, pushing into her where it shouldn't-
Red tendrils tangle around her, like a creature pulling her down, and she has just one arm to fight it. No legs to kick, no air to scream, no bugs to call, just one hand.
Bodies in the water all around her. Familiar faces, no masks. Brian. Rags. Lisa. Kiryu. Shen Jiye. Dad. Hunter. Ulla. Jacobi. Jon. Shen Wei. Tim. Misty. Jedao. Rachel. B. Sweeney. Mom. Riley. Zhao Yunlan. Emma. Maggie. Dragon. Scraps. Iris. Jesus. Trevor. Shaw. Loki. Thomas. Amy. Rosita. Hilbert. Kepler. Trixie.
Everyone's in pieces. Legs and hands, eyes and guts, heads and bodies. Shattered and sinking into that boiling golden light. Just like her.
It's impact, water as hard as stone, driving no breath from her body because she had none-
has-
she has-
she has no-
She's sinking, the water red as dawn, lit from above by gold so bright it's painful, hurts in all the places that water is intruding, pushing into her where it shouldn't-
Red tendrils tangle around her, like a creature pulling her down, and she has just one arm to fight it. No legs to kick, no air to scream, no bugs to call, just one hand.
Bodies in the water all around her. Familiar faces, no masks. Brian. Rags. Lisa. Kiryu. Shen Jiye. Dad. Hunter. Ulla. Jacobi. Jon. Shen Wei. Tim. Misty. Jedao. Rachel. B. Sweeney. Mom. Riley. Zhao Yunlan. Emma. Maggie. Dragon. Scraps. Iris. Jesus. Trevor. Shaw. Loki. Thomas. Amy. Rosita. Hilbert. Kepler. Trixie.
Everyone's in pieces. Legs and hands, eyes and guts, heads and bodies. Shattered and sinking into that boiling golden light. Just like her.
Re: Dream - For the twins. [cw body horror, disembowelment]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
brotherblack
2024-02-07 07:12 am (UTC)(link)
He sees Zhao Yunlan's sightless eyes, didi's long hair drifting around his severed head, the beautiful white of it stained with blood, a hand he knows is xiao Jedao's reaching towards him from the mass of mutilated bodies, and it takes him longer than it should to realize that it's a nightmare. That it's Taylor mei's nightmare.
He centers himself, pushes away the choking sense of fear and helplessness and tries to make himself a steady point of calm and safety, of reality amidst the horror.
It's not real, xiao mei. If it's another flood then it's probably pointless to try and convince her of that, but if it's just a normal nightmare--as if this horror could ever be just anything, or at all normal--then perhaps they can ease her out of it. And Shen Jiye and I are here with you, alive and well. Because of course he can feel his twin's awareness there as well.
He centers himself, pushes away the choking sense of fear and helplessness and tries to make himself a steady point of calm and safety, of reality amidst the horror.
It's not real, xiao mei. If it's another flood then it's probably pointless to try and convince her of that, but if it's just a normal nightmare--as if this horror could ever be just anything, or at all normal--then perhaps they can ease her out of it. And Shen Jiye and I are here with you, alive and well. Because of course he can feel his twin's awareness there as well.
[After this thread!]
Ulla left Taylor that morning in human form, but she slithers back in dripping wet and grinning, smelling like sea salt. Her dress is stuffed in the satchel at her side, and Hjerte is clambering alongside her. Neither of them built for moving on land, but they manage.
"I'm having a good day."
Ulla left Taylor that morning in human form, but she slithers back in dripping wet and grinning, smelling like sea salt. Her dress is stuffed in the satchel at her side, and Hjerte is clambering alongside her. Neither of them built for moving on land, but they manage.
"I'm having a good day."
Taylor's on her porch when she comes in, grubby from yard-work and scrubbing dirt out of her nails, and she grins when she sees Ulla's. That she's switched forms always inspires a flicker of concern, but she's always glad to see Ulla in her own skin.
"Looks like it." She hops off the porch to sit in the grass so Ulla can sit with her, while Scraps makes a beeline to try to chase Hjerte's many legs.
"Looks like it." She hops off the porch to sit in the grass so Ulla can sit with her, while Scraps makes a beeline to try to chase Hjerte's many legs.
Ulla sprawls on the grass with her head in Taylor's lap, smiling up at her. Hjerte will happily settle down to indulge Scraps, making a game of shifting his tentacles.
"Johann and I went swimming in the Enclosure. He has a newly discovered aquatic form. Or several of them. We went the sildroher city, the way it used to be. The gardens I built with Signy, the Nautilus Hall. It felt right, visiting with Hjerte and with another sea monster who would never fit there either. It didn't hurt the way I thought it might."
Her voice goes low and earnest. "When you first asked me to help you breathe underwater, I think I was too busy being afraid for you, and rushing to assure you that I don't need that, to realize how much I'd like it. Is that still something you want? I've been reading, and I might talk to Hunter too."
Taylor doesn’t mind one bit Ulla’s wet hair soaking her jeans, combing salty tangles out gently with her fingers, a little surprised to hear Signy’s name with Ulla still in good spirits. And glad.
“Well, now that you’ve got someone else to swim with, I double want it,” she teases. “
“Well, now that you’ve got someone else to swim with, I double want it,” she teases. “
She pulls Taylor's hand toward her, kissing her palm and then her wrist. "There's no one I'd rather share things with than you. Well, Warren and Jasper might come close. I like Johann, though, and I thought he deserved someone to show him the part of the world that just opened up to him."
She looks up at Taylor's face again as she admits, "I transformed in front of him, too, but I didn't explain my knife. I'm trying to trust more. It's still so hard."
That’s a surprise, and it shows on Taylor’s face.
“And it went okay?” Taylor only knows anything about Johann from the network, for the most part, and doesn’t have much opinion about him except that he reminds her occasionally of Jacobi when they first met. “He wasn’t weird?”
“And it went okay?” Taylor only knows anything about Johann from the network, for the most part, and doesn’t have much opinion about him except that he reminds her occasionally of Jacobi when they first met. “He wasn’t weird?”
Ulla hums an affirmative. "He was very respectful. Treated that as something important, separate from the fun of exploring the sea.
"I didn't know what birthright Johann should have had. But he belongs in the sea the same way I do, and he doesn't have a place there to welcome him. So I took him to the place I had, at least for awhile."
Ulla glances over at Scraps and Hjerte. "I don't think I would have done it if I didn't have Hjerte. But Hjerte gave me back a piece of what I lost, so with him along too, it was easier."
She nods thoughtfully, leaning back against the side of the porch, and gives the little octopus a grateful look.
“Is it the first time you’ve seen it, yourself?” she asks Hjerte. She remembers having a daemon, knows he’s seen it as part of Ulla, but it’s different. Isn’t it?
“Is it the first time you’ve seen it, yourself?” she asks Hjerte. She remembers having a daemon, knows he’s seen it as part of Ulla, but it’s different. Isn’t it?
"Except in memories," Hjerte confirms. "I'd never physically been there."
"It was good for me too," Ulla tells Taylor. "I think I needed it without realizing."
"I could kiss you there, like I realized I wanted to last time," Ulla muses.
"Because that's where I figured it out. After I left you, Warren and I sat on some steps leading down into the water and he reminded me that you're nothing like Signy. That you're brave, and you aren't selfish, and I was choosing someone better. I already knew you're nothing like her, of course, but I was scared."
Her smile warms, and she shifts Ulla's head so she can scoot down, lie in the grass beside her and wrap her arms around her waist. "I'd been stupid about you for a while, at that point.
"It was so shallow at first," she admits. "You were just this- this work of art, living among us. I didn't know you."
"It was so shallow at first," she admits. "You were just this- this work of art, living among us. I didn't know you."
"I almost always hate when people look at me that way. But you never... pushed it on me. It didn't feel like pressure I needed to squirm out from under."
She kisses Taylor's cheek. "Warren says some people don't want that way until someone already matters. Until they care, or trust. I'm like that. I've never wanted anyone except you or Signy. And I didn't even recognize my feelings for Signy as what they were until after the fact. Until the breach where you and I were together, which is why I took it so badly in the aftermath. Because the way I felt about you in another life made me realize what I'd felt for her in this one. It dug the old hurts in deeper. Thank you for being worth trusting, a thousand times over."
"I will," Ulla agrees, then kisses her, soft and slow. "But there's nothing to fix so far. You'll promise me the same? Tell me if there's ever anything wrong, or anything you want?"
Edited 2024-06-26 04:27 (UTC)
Ulla turns up at the Enclosure in a deep green gown with the engraved shell combs Warren gave her in her hair. She's happy to visit Kiryu's city as Taylor proposed; she's never seen it, and she's curious to see where Taylor plans to live someday.
She smiles as Taylor comes into sight. "Hello, sweetheart."
She smiles as Taylor comes into sight. "Hello, sweetheart."
[Hanna appears on screen without his chunky frames, all big blue eyes without them. He looks perfectly fine thanks to Aerith, which he hopes helps when Taylor inevitably asks him some more questions.]
Hey TK, I was trying to fix them myself but...I kind of broke my glasses? You think you can get me a new pair?
And I have no idea if the Admiral can figure out what my prescription is supposed to be but I haven't really had an eye exam in a while, you think he could give me an update?
Hey TK, I was trying to fix them myself but...I kind of broke my glasses? You think you can get me a new pair?
And I have no idea if the Admiral can figure out what my prescription is supposed to be but I haven't really had an eye exam in a while, you think he could give me an update?
[He's going to have so many nicknames for her, he'll need to keep a running list.]
Uh, well? You certainly can ask. Collins decided he wanted to get all strangle-me-Elmo in the library.
I'm fine by the way, Aerith kind of snapped him out of his murder-fugue state or what ever, but... My glasses were the victim of a punch to the face when I started to defend myself.
[Hanna's tone screams 'NBD' as he talks at her, gesturing casually with his hands, and still, he looks totally fine. Big plus.]
She's probably gonna give you an update on that later, as well as Collins' warden, but I can't really see all that well without my glasses? So I figured I'd be proactive, get ahead of her on the telling.
Uh, well? You certainly can ask. Collins decided he wanted to get all strangle-me-Elmo in the library.
I'm fine by the way, Aerith kind of snapped him out of his murder-fugue state or what ever, but... My glasses were the victim of a punch to the face when I started to defend myself.
[Hanna's tone screams 'NBD' as he talks at her, gesturing casually with his hands, and still, he looks totally fine. Big plus.]
She's probably gonna give you an update on that later, as well as Collins' warden, but I can't really see all that well without my glasses? So I figured I'd be proactive, get ahead of her on the telling.
Edited 2024-11-11 21:15 (UTC)
Hey, if I come at you running and screaming, you'll know it's an emergency.
[He's at least consistent in that. If he actually came to her for help? You know it's bad and have reason to hop to it.]
I think just because? You might get a better why from Aerith later, but I legitimately have had fairly casual, halfway pleasant conversations with him before and he seems the kind of guy to not want to waste his time if he doesn't like you.
Unless Death Cab For Cutie was such a bad listening experience that he decided I needed to die for it, but I was fairly sure he'd like that one.
[He's at least consistent in that. If he actually came to her for help? You know it's bad and have reason to hop to it.]
I think just because? You might get a better why from Aerith later, but I legitimately have had fairly casual, halfway pleasant conversations with him before and he seems the kind of guy to not want to waste his time if he doesn't like you.
Unless Death Cab For Cutie was such a bad listening experience that he decided I needed to die for it, but I was fairly sure he'd like that one.
Just because is definitely on the likely list. Though I know he does have a thing about music, but that's basically all I know. [She might run it by Ulla, though.]
I'll ping Aerith and his warden.
In the meantime. Can I offer you some anti-Murder-Elmo gear?
I'll ping Aerith and his warden.
In the meantime. Can I offer you some anti-Murder-Elmo gear?
Eh, I don't need to know the guy's backstory. We're fine, though I might steer clear for a minute... don't want to encourage any more attempts.
[He raises an eyebrow at her offer, unsure what she actually meant but enjoying her delivery with a soft chuckle.]
That sounds even more ridiculous than what I just said, kudos to you, but uh. What exactly do you mean when you say gear?
[He raises an eyebrow at her offer, unsure what she actually meant but enjoying her delivery with a soft chuckle.]
That sounds even more ridiculous than what I just said, kudos to you, but uh. What exactly do you mean when you say gear?
I approve of any steer-clear plans. [She just knows how hard that is on a small ship.]
I make silk armor. Started when I was a new cape with no money, but a pretty infinite quantity of silk. I got good at it. Geared up all my friends. Saved a few of us from guns, knives, really big snakes...
I make silk armor. Started when I was a new cape with no money, but a pretty infinite quantity of silk. I got good at it. Geared up all my friends. Saved a few of us from guns, knives, really big snakes...
We do both work in the library, but I'll make sure I've got a few prepped spells just in case. It'll be fine. I worked retail, I can handle it.
[Though his eyes get a little wide when she starts going on about cool super hero silk armor.]
Woah...that sounds rad as hell. What does it look like? [don't mind him, he'd just envisioning a fucking caplet or poncho for fighting crime. He'd look so cool...]
[Though his eyes get a little wide when she starts going on about cool super hero silk armor.]
Woah...that sounds rad as hell. What does it look like? [don't mind him, he'd just envisioning a fucking caplet or poncho for fighting crime. He'd look so cool...]
Huh...well, you definitely caught my interest. Though now I have to ask...if you got enough spiders together do you think you could swing around like Spiderman? Or is that a little too much?
[He'd already changed his shirt when he called her so thankfully there wasn't so much blood, but he is absolutely going to have to squint a little when he gets close to make sure he knows which room number he's going into.]
Give me a bit, my vision isn't that bad, like I can navigate, but it's definitely a little blurry.
[And he doesn't want to slip and fall down the stairs because he can't see them super great. Elevator it is. Slipping out of his room, Atticus in hand, he'll start heading over to her cabin.]
[He'd already changed his shirt when he called her so thankfully there wasn't so much blood, but he is absolutely going to have to squint a little when he gets close to make sure he knows which room number he's going into.]
Give me a bit, my vision isn't that bad, like I can navigate, but it's definitely a little blurry.
[And he doesn't want to slip and fall down the stairs because he can't see them super great. Elevator it is. Slipping out of his room, Atticus in hand, he'll start heading over to her cabin.]
I mean, I have used the silk to rappel, but they’re usually so fine the danger is cutting myself. But shooting out web and having it just adhere wherever, not happening. Spider-Man’s web-shooters were mechanical, though. I probably could have gotten tech like that from a friend, but it was counter to the theme when we worked together.
[Her cabin door is open, as always, but now the yard is a large room, with a sculpted pool to one side, potted plants in the dozens, and paintings of a forest around the walls under a starry ceiling. Ramen the hen is roosting in the pot under a small pine tree, looking like a feathery Christmas present.]
Come on in, costume department is back here.
[Her cabin door is open, as always, but now the yard is a large room, with a sculpted pool to one side, potted plants in the dozens, and paintings of a forest around the walls under a starry ceiling. Ramen the hen is roosting in the pot under a small pine tree, looking like a feathery Christmas present.]
Come on in, costume department is back here.
[The fact that it was a possibility with some tech is enough for Hanna. His Warden is spiderwoman with extra steps, which is fucking cool of you ask him.
The change of the space is a little bit of a surprise, but he supposes with what the Barge went through, being conservative with what it can so is probably for the best. Slipping inside, he follows her with a gentle greeting, though he might be squinting to make out certain things properly]
Costume department, huh? That sounds fancy. You have a sewing machine and shit back here? Makes me sad we kind of missed Halloween with all the bullshit.
The change of the space is a little bit of a surprise, but he supposes with what the Barge went through, being conservative with what it can so is probably for the best. Slipping inside, he follows her with a gentle greeting, though he might be squinting to make out certain things properly]
Costume department, huh? That sounds fancy. You have a sewing machine and shit back here? Makes me sad we kind of missed Halloween with all the bullshit.
Oh fuck, we did, didn't we? Man... I wanted to get Hunter in a Nosferatu costume this year.
[At least it's brighter than it was, which might help him out. Taylor leads him into the house, where she's opened a big room towards the back - the room that was Kiryu's before. Now it's got her collection of mannequins, with shirts and a swimsuit in various stages of completeness. One that's barely begun makes it clear how they're made - faint traceries of web are still being laid down over one another, layer after layer after layer. No spiders are present right now, but their work is obvious if he can see enough.]
I don't use a sewing machine.
[At least it's brighter than it was, which might help him out. Taylor leads him into the house, where she's opened a big room towards the back - the room that was Kiryu's before. Now it's got her collection of mannequins, with shirts and a swimsuit in various stages of completeness. One that's barely begun makes it clear how they're made - faint traceries of web are still being laid down over one another, layer after layer after layer. No spiders are present right now, but their work is obvious if he can see enough.]
I don't use a sewing machine.
[Smol Tepes seemed to be a good candidate for nosferatu. A bummer she didn't get to make him something.
Walking in, the small details are practically impossible to discern, but he does get up real close, can see it then at least.]
woah...what kind of spiders are you using anyways?
Walking in, the small details are practically impossible to discern, but he does get up real close, can see it then at least.]
woah...what kind of spiders are you using anyways?
[Her grin widens, pleased that he isn't in the least bothered.]
Mostly Darwin's bark spiders - they're a kind of orb weaver, totally harmless if you're not a fly and they outproduce everything else by two to one. Some black widows - their silk is strongest, but I don't like to keep a large population here.
I kept a lot of my working population on the greenhouse roof, so I'm having to rebuild my numbers, but I've still got enough in here to do some work.
Mostly Darwin's bark spiders - they're a kind of orb weaver, totally harmless if you're not a fly and they outproduce everything else by two to one. Some black widows - their silk is strongest, but I don't like to keep a large population here.
I kept a lot of my working population on the greenhouse roof, so I'm having to rebuild my numbers, but I've still got enough in here to do some work.
[Thankfully Hanna has seen his fair share of creepy crawlies. He's not afraid of most things, spiders don't make the list, though there definitely is something about the way some bigger insects move that make him slightly uncomfortable.
Pulling back so he isnt inches away from her work to see it, he nods, glancing around the room curiously. He'llhave to come back when hes got his new glasses.]
Aww, did some of them get roasted in the fire? I thought the green house got the least of it anyways...bummer.
Pulling back so he isnt inches away from her work to see it, he nods, glancing around the room curiously. He'llhave to come back when hes got his new glasses.]
Aww, did some of them get roasted in the fire? I thought the green house got the least of it anyways...bummer.
It doesn't take much. A lot of them wiped each other out too, since I wasn't there to keep peace. Territorial.
[She reaches into a box tucked back on a shelf, and pulls out a large and spiny spider, with a body about the size of a quarter, letting it crawl across her palm before setting it on the mannequin to keep laying down silk.]
[She reaches into a box tucked back on a shelf, and pulls out a large and spiny spider, with a body about the size of a quarter, letting it crawl across her palm before setting it on the mannequin to keep laying down silk.]
Oh, gotcha. Makes sense I guess.
[He squints at the drawer, the spider a blurry shape in her hand before it gets started.]
Is it usually just one working or you can get them to play nice while they're doing their weaving?
[He squints at the drawer, the spider a blurry shape in her hand before it gets started.]
Is it usually just one working or you can get them to play nice while they're doing their weaving?
Oh...yeah I can see how that would bother people. Spiders have a sort of disturbing gait with those legs of theirs.
I forgot that was you...you and Hunter, right?
Does the alarm still work now that he's gone? I know Shaw hangs out down there sometimes.
Does the alarm still work now that he's gone? I know Shaw hangs out down there sometimes.
That was like...right before he left right? He didn't stay the whole first month of our Pairing, I remember that much.
[He is curious though...]
Do you still keep in contact? I know Wardens can go off Barge. He doing alright?
[He is curious though...]
Do you still keep in contact? I know Wardens can go off Barge. He doing alright?
Oh yeah, he said he was adopted by Vlad Tepes. Which, I'm sure he was kind of scary, but also rad as hell.
You think you might visit again sometime? I was thinking...I wanted to apologize. And I know he has no idea what I did, but when I used Atticus to summon that alternate dimension, I felt like it was a betrayal somehow, even if I didn't know what would happen.
What did go down...I don't really want to use it for that, and I'm sure he would have been thoroughly disappointed.
You think you might visit again sometime? I was thinking...I wanted to apologize. And I know he has no idea what I did, but when I used Atticus to summon that alternate dimension, I felt like it was a betrayal somehow, even if I didn't know what would happen.
What did go down...I don't really want to use it for that, and I'm sure he would have been thoroughly disappointed.
[Hanna glances around to see a good place to lean and sets himself up.]
I dunno. That feels a little weird. Send a letter to a guy I knew for like three weeks tops?
I dunno. That feels a little weird. Send a letter to a guy I knew for like three weeks tops?
Hmm... [He'd written little things on pieces of paper and burned them before, just to get it out and away from him, but an actual letter?]
I'll think about it. If I actually write something worth sending, I'll make sure you know about it. [Which reminds him of that page in the Speakeasy where he'd written some things down on Hunter's long after he'd gone. Perhaps he could look at it again, see if anything there was worth sharing.]
I'll think about it. If I actually write something worth sending, I'll make sure you know about it. [Which reminds him of that page in the Speakeasy where he'd written some things down on Hunter's long after he'd gone. Perhaps he could look at it again, see if anything there was worth sharing.]
[He at least appreciates the sentiment.]
I think you just want us to be twinning, but I have nothing against that, so I would totally wear one of those. Just, so long as the neck isn't like so tight, that is the worst. I had one turtle neck when I was a kid, and I was a small kid, so I dunno who this thing was for, but I felt like it was choking me. Never stretched out.
I think you just want us to be twinning, but I have nothing against that, so I would totally wear one of those. Just, so long as the neck isn't like so tight, that is the worst. I had one turtle neck when I was a kid, and I was a small kid, so I dunno who this thing was for, but I felt like it was choking me. Never stretched out.
[She laughs, eyes squinting shut for a moment.] Honestly, like four fifths of my wardrobe is tank tops with bug puns. If you want to twin, I can share. But turtlenecks are life-saving.
[Literally. She doesn't say it aloud, but she touches her own throat, thumb absently following the ghost of a blade from years ago.]
I'll make it a bit loose. Better that way anyway.
[Literally. She doesn't say it aloud, but she touches her own throat, thumb absently following the ghost of a blade from years ago.]
I'll make it a bit loose. Better that way anyway.
Uh, I think I'd be kind of swimming, no offense. Thanks for the offer though. [That and tank tops really aren't his thing. Unless everyone wants to see his nasty little secret under his shirt, and he doesn't really want that either.]
Cool, I'm excited for it! Custom digs. Spider bespoke, like I'm weird, paranormal James Bond.
Cool, I'm excited for it! Custom digs. Spider bespoke, like I'm weird, paranormal James Bond.
[Hanna had waited until after they had left port to ask, because it was kind of weird, asking for your own birthday present. But, he had promised that when he asked he'd get one for Alan too, so it's really not just for him, makes him feel a little better about it.]
Hey TK, just wanted to drop a request on you.
Back on that island I found a colony of fire salamanders, I didn't take any with cause they were a little more feral and feisty than the ones I know back home, but you think you can ask the Admiral to get me a pair from my dimension?
They don't really need much seeing as they're animal spirits, but maybe a little wood to munch on to start? I'm still unsure if they have to eat to live, but they do like eating, so. Might as well?
Anyways, let me know! Fingers crossed he'll not be snooty about it.
Hey TK, just wanted to drop a request on you.
Back on that island I found a colony of fire salamanders, I didn't take any with cause they were a little more feral and feisty than the ones I know back home, but you think you can ask the Admiral to get me a pair from my dimension?
They don't really need much seeing as they're animal spirits, but maybe a little wood to munch on to start? I'm still unsure if they have to eat to live, but they do like eating, so. Might as well?
Anyways, let me know! Fingers crossed he'll not be snooty about it.
Hanna doesn't call or text before he comes in to Taylor's cabin, but he does knock on the door to her home because it would be weird to just barge in.
Fiddling nervously with a piece of paper in hand, he waits for an answer, though if it's longer than a few minutes, he will give her a call.
Fiddling nervously with a piece of paper in hand, he waits for an answer, though if it's longer than a few minutes, he will give her a call.
"Oh, you know. Just had a brain worm and couldn't get it out." He stands awkwardly outside the door, unsure if he wants to come in or not.
The shift into December seems to have dulled him a little, not quite somber but less enthusiastic. He'll swear it's seasonal depression, affects everyone but a little hard to call it that when the sun don't shine on the Barge.
The shift into December seems to have dulled him a little, not quite somber but less enthusiastic. He'll swear it's seasonal depression, affects everyone but a little hard to call it that when the sun don't shine on the Barge.
"I don't think I'm really a tea guy, but I will take coffee or water, not really all that picky aside from that." He does step in, shoving the abused and wrinkled piece of paper in his pocket to find a good spot to lean against the table they'd sat at before.
"I should have asked if this was a good time, sorry. Is it?"
"I should have asked if this was a good time, sorry. Is it?"
"Always a good time. Water it is." She hasn't bothered getting a coffee maker, since she doesn't drink it. But she might now. "Angelica, go lie down," she adds, giving the hound a friendly shove as she steps 'inside,' coming back in a minute with two glasses. Because she likes to talk with something in her hands.
"Tell me about the brain worm."
"Tell me about the brain worm."
He isn't sure he believes that, though who knows. Maybe She and Ulla were celibate? He isn't about to ask though. He isn't sure he wants Angelica to leave when Taylor goes to get them water, tapping the toe of his shoe against the floor while he waits, but she's back quickly enough, taking the glass and giving it a good pull before setting it down on the table.
"Uh, well I was talking with Sheehan. Though it was more a continuation of a conversation from a boat ride." He starts, trying to find something interesting to look at on the wall rather than her, "But anyways, we got talking about my parents, and...I guess I was thinking about what you said about visits, and I know you can leave, even if I can't...so? Maybe you could swing by for me this year since I can't." Though he's leaving out the context that she'd be visiting the dead rather than a pair of alive humans awkwardly, but he'll get to that. Just give him a minute.
"Uh, well I was talking with Sheehan. Though it was more a continuation of a conversation from a boat ride." He starts, trying to find something interesting to look at on the wall rather than her, "But anyways, we got talking about my parents, and...I guess I was thinking about what you said about visits, and I know you can leave, even if I can't...so? Maybe you could swing by for me this year since I can't." Though he's leaving out the context that she'd be visiting the dead rather than a pair of alive humans awkwardly, but he'll get to that. Just give him a minute.
"It'd be a quick thing. You don't have to stay as long as I usually do, but...I usually make them flowers, like the paper kind, drop a seal on them for weather protection. If no one steals them, sometimes they last all year." Which is again, weird without the context.
"I already started on them, but give me a week and they'll be finished. They take a little longer than just the usual shit. But um...I can draw out a map? Navigating an unfamiliar cemetery can get pretty difficult if you don't know where you're supposed to be looking. If you think you might need it I could give you a guidance spell, might help."
"I already started on them, but give me a week and they'll be finished. They take a little longer than just the usual shit. But um...I can draw out a map? Navigating an unfamiliar cemetery can get pretty difficult if you don't know where you're supposed to be looking. If you think you might need it I could give you a guidance spell, might help."
There's a brief blankness on her face at the word 'cemetery,' which entirely matches the way her mind whites out at the word. But it doesn't last, and she sips her own water, giving herself a moment.
"A map would be fine," she says quietly. "They're together?"
"A map would be fine," she says quietly. "They're together?"
"I'll draw you one. It's not that hard to find, thankfully. The address good enough to get there for Iris, or do you need a little more?" He isn't sure how dimensional travel like that works, but he's starting to fidget a little now that it's rather obvious what he's asking her to do for him.
"Y-yeah, basically sharing a plot if you factor in how small it is. That shit's fucking expensive and It was a bit of a battle until I finally got my pay out. The government likes to work slow when everyone is shoving their hands in your face for cash." It hadn't been a smooth process at all and most of that year had been a fucking blur.
"Y-yeah, basically sharing a plot if you factor in how small it is. That shit's fucking expensive and It was a bit of a battle until I finally got my pay out. The government likes to work slow when everyone is shoving their hands in your face for cash." It hadn't been a smooth process at all and most of that year had been a fucking blur.
"Well, the flowers I'm gonna send you with would be mine, but if you needed something else, just let me know." He could just let her borrow his Zune for an afternoon probably, that'd make it easier.
His ankles cross under the table, gently swinging back and forth as he tries not to look at her. "I just don't want to miss it just because I'm stuck here...their ghosts lft a long time ago, but I think It's still important." He huffs a soft laugh as a thought comes to him, "Maybe you can bring a cardboard cut out of me, then it'll be like I'm there all the time."
His ankles cross under the table, gently swinging back and forth as he tries not to look at her. "I just don't want to miss it just because I'm stuck here...their ghosts lft a long time ago, but I think It's still important." He huffs a soft laugh as a thought comes to him, "Maybe you can bring a cardboard cut out of me, then it'll be like I'm there all the time."
[Taylor is probably either getting used to or rather tired from the messages Hanna shoots off when he's about to do something questionable, or has just finished experiencing something unfortunate.]
Hey, just so just leaving a quick message to let you know a buddy of mine asked me to remove a teeny tiny little curse from his knife?
It'll probably be fine, but in the very slim chance it isn't, maybe just keep Sokie on speed dial until I'm done? I'm gonna be the most careful in the mean time though, cross my heart.
Hey, just so just leaving a quick message to let you know a buddy of mine asked me to remove a teeny tiny little curse from his knife?
It'll probably be fine, but in the very slim chance it isn't, maybe just keep Sokie on speed dial until I'm done? I'm gonna be the most careful in the mean time though, cross my heart.
Uh...you know that's a great question, and I'll get back to you when the answer isn't 'I don't know'.
[So maybe he lied about how small it was because he has no idea how big or small it was, but here's hoping it's teeny like he said.]
It makes you think of who you last killed when you use it, so not that terrible. I mean, I've never killed anyone so I'd probably just be having flashbacks of when I sucked up brown recluse spiders with my vacuum or what ever. Not that bad.
[So maybe he lied about how small it was because he has no idea how big or small it was, but here's hoping it's teeny like he said.]
It makes you think of who you last killed when you use it, so not that terrible. I mean, I've never killed anyone so I'd probably just be having flashbacks of when I sucked up brown recluse spiders with my vacuum or what ever. Not that bad.
Edited 2024-12-19 06:08 (UTC)
No remorse, just zipped them right up with the vacuum hose. [He figures she's teasing, though he does try his best to be nice to the critters he does see around the Barge.
He sighs heavily at her request though.]
I mean, I'll try? But this is troubleshooting. You won't know what you've got until you've given it a good poke or two, can't exactly give you a zero to ten scale before I get my fingers all up in it.
He sighs heavily at her request though.]
I mean, I'll try? But this is troubleshooting. You won't know what you've got until you've given it a good poke or two, can't exactly give you a zero to ten scale before I get my fingers all up in it.
[He frowns, pretty sure that would be overkill.]
I'm pretty sure I'll be okay with out an audience, but...I can call John mentally if not via the comm if that makes you feel any better?
It isn't like I haven't done this before, and you have my file, I'm pretty sure it would tell you if I ever had a curse backfire, so you know I'm being honest when I say it hasn't. [Though that could just be dumb luck.]
I'm pretty sure I'll be okay with out an audience, but...I can call John mentally if not via the comm if that makes you feel any better?
It isn't like I haven't done this before, and you have my file, I'm pretty sure it would tell you if I ever had a curse backfire, so you know I'm being honest when I say it hasn't. [Though that could just be dumb luck.]
On the back of the clearly hand-drawn card, he has printed the date (Dec 28) and time, as well as the location - the Enclosure.
[Hanna arrives unannounced, hands shoved in his pockets, and oddly a pair of salamanders on his shoulders instead of just the one. While they seem to be chugging along just fine being back together, Hanna is very clearly not having a good time and has just sat himself on her porch because coming inside feels like too much.
He'll just sit out here until she inevitably comes out seeing as she's got bugs, this is her room, she probably knew the minute he walked in.]
He'll just sit out here until she inevitably comes out seeing as she's got bugs, this is her room, she probably knew the minute he walked in.]
[She did, but since he didn't make himself known, she gives him a few minutes. When she does come out, she brings two mugs on a tray, and sets it down on the porch with the one full of coffee turned towards him.
She sits beside him, sipping her own tea, waiting for him.]
She sits beside him, sipping her own tea, waiting for him.]
[He does at least acknowledge her when she sits, the smallest smile and a soft huff of a laugh.] You know, no one ever offers me coffee back home...they think I'm going to spazz out at the slightest hint of caffeine.
[He takes the cup and looks down into it while Simon and Garfunkel make the journey to start investigating her.]
[He takes the cup and looks down into it while Simon and Garfunkel make the journey to start investigating her.]
[They take the opportunity immediately, all cute and no thoughts inside those little brains of theirs, flickering and adorable as they crawl up her arm.]
It doesn't really do that, I guess it wakes me up, but that's what it's supposed to do.
[He takes a sip, holding it with both hands before he sucks in a slow breath in, releases it.]
My friend died today. Which...really fucking sucks, cause that wasn't how he was supposed to go out. He was going to abandon us all for his wife the minute he graduated, and I would have had to pretend that it's fine, it's normal. That's what people do when they get married, they disappear. But no...he's just dead now.
And I can do fuck all about it, and he'll never remember me, or any of the stupid shit I did, or the bet we made, and I- [Hanna had started out strong, but the more he talked, the more he kind of just devolved into a mess.] I'm kind of worried now that everyone is going to just do that? Like.
This keeps happening, and I pretend it's just the usual, and it doesn't bother me, but I can't handle it, when people just...leave like that. It fucks me up.
It doesn't really do that, I guess it wakes me up, but that's what it's supposed to do.
[He takes a sip, holding it with both hands before he sucks in a slow breath in, releases it.]
My friend died today. Which...really fucking sucks, cause that wasn't how he was supposed to go out. He was going to abandon us all for his wife the minute he graduated, and I would have had to pretend that it's fine, it's normal. That's what people do when they get married, they disappear. But no...he's just dead now.
And I can do fuck all about it, and he'll never remember me, or any of the stupid shit I did, or the bet we made, and I- [Hanna had started out strong, but the more he talked, the more he kind of just devolved into a mess.] I'm kind of worried now that everyone is going to just do that? Like.
This keeps happening, and I pretend it's just the usual, and it doesn't bother me, but I can't handle it, when people just...leave like that. It fucks me up.
Edited 2024-12-30 03:24 (UTC)
[She has to set her mug down to cup her hand over the little idiots before they get past her shoulder into her hair. There are wasps up there.
And putting together that they're both here- she has a good idea who she means. Not someone she ever knew, but she does try to pay attention to who is important to him.]
It happens too much. [Her tone is agreeing with him, and she breathes out slowly.]
Do you want to do something? A memorial?
And putting together that they're both here- she has a good idea who she means. Not someone she ever knew, but she does try to pay attention to who is important to him.]
It happens too much. [Her tone is agreeing with him, and she breathes out slowly.]
Do you want to do something? A memorial?
[It's certainly a task when he's as social as he is, but the ones that wiggle in a little closer than the wave in the hall way, a chat here and there, those ones are on a shorter list.
He turns the cup in his hand for something to do, attempting to distract himself, but it doesn't work well.]
I don't know what I want to do. He's got closer friends than me, I'm sure, he's got people from home that know him, people who are alive...
[Should he focus on them instead? That would be a different direction than just being angry about it.] I haven't checked if his books are still in the library. Maybe I could just...borrow one permanently.
He turns the cup in his hand for something to do, attempting to distract himself, but it doesn't work well.]
I don't know what I want to do. He's got closer friends than me, I'm sure, he's got people from home that know him, people who are alive...
[Should he focus on them instead? That would be a different direction than just being angry about it.] I haven't checked if his books are still in the library. Maybe I could just...borrow one permanently.
[She nods, catching the inside of her cheek in her teeth. Not like she doesn't have most of Rags' things from the Greenhouse still in her cabin, and he's alive and well.]
A memorial can be just you, or you can invite anyone you want to it, if you want to do that. But just keeping something of his sounds good too.
[She gives Simon and Garfunkel a quick glance, teasing them with her fingertip. They might count, but she has the feeling that having both of them again stings a bit for Hanna.]
A memorial can be just you, or you can invite anyone you want to it, if you want to do that. But just keeping something of his sounds good too.
[She gives Simon and Garfunkel a quick glance, teasing them with her fingertip. They might count, but she has the feeling that having both of them again stings a bit for Hanna.]
Saga is my new supervisor. She knew him, and she's a hell of a lot more organized than I am...I might ask her, I just didn't want to do it when I was trying not to lose my shit.
[He obviously isn't that comfortable talking about what he's feeling at the moment with the way that he's shrunk in on himself, but he glances over at her, the two little lizards enjoying themselves and gently trying to catch her fingers in their little mouths, though even if they bit, it wouldn't hurt. They keep circling around each other, and Hanna watches, thankful Simon didn't disappear with Alan but he was supposed to be with him, a little light in the dark if he ever needed it.]
[He obviously isn't that comfortable talking about what he's feeling at the moment with the way that he's shrunk in on himself, but he glances over at her, the two little lizards enjoying themselves and gently trying to catch her fingers in their little mouths, though even if they bit, it wouldn't hurt. They keep circling around each other, and Hanna watches, thankful Simon didn't disappear with Alan but he was supposed to be with him, a little light in the dark if he ever needed it.]
[She plainly doesn't mind being nommed on - she has Scraps, after all (though the palisman is currently off bothering the hen collecting eggs.)]
Saga's good people. You can lose your shit on her, she's good for it. [Taylor pauses to add:] She was my mom in a breach. Me and Hunter.
Saga's good people. You can lose your shit on her, she's good for it. [Taylor pauses to add:] She was my mom in a breach. Me and Hunter.
I mean, should I though? She knew him when he was alive...that doesn't sound all that fair, dumping on a woman who just lost someone too. The last time I talked to her, I got her inmate killed so I could unfuck the Barge.
[That sounds like two for two, bad times personally.
He does pause though, looking up. He knows that happens, but the first breach he'd experienced he'd also been orphaned, a child taken in by the Abbey with no real family to speak of aside from, though that hadn't stopped him from making a name for himself.]
What was that like, just...suddenly feeling like you had a connection like that following a week of being someone else.
[That sounds like two for two, bad times personally.
He does pause though, looking up. He knows that happens, but the first breach he'd experienced he'd also been orphaned, a child taken in by the Abbey with no real family to speak of aside from, though that hadn't stopped him from making a name for himself.]
What was that like, just...suddenly feeling like you had a connection like that following a week of being someone else.
Is dumping out what you feel like doing? Or just sharing space with someone else mourning him? Maybe she wants that too.
[Taylor is not a social griever, but she understands others are. She's also happy to take on the change of topic.]
Breaches are- a lot. I've tried to keep most of my breach families, but I can't- manage it with moms.
[Taylor is not a social griever, but she understands others are. She's also happy to take on the change of topic.]
Breaches are- a lot. I've tried to keep most of my breach families, but I can't- manage it with moms.
I- [It's difficult, talking about feelings, and all this shit when he'd barely felt comfortable asking her to go visit his parents. But the loss is lighting a fire under his ass, one that scratches gently at the surface of understanding that people might feel this way if he disappeared.
Alan had wanted to live too, but sometimes that isn't enough, not when there is a ticking timer.] John told me something a while back that I've been trying to put into practice... which is why I came over, cause you're not gonna feel it the way I do. I don't remember the specifics, but it's like...leaning out? It feels wrong, asking someone close to the thing for help, because they probably feel the same way, but you're not so connected, It's less of an emotional burden to you, if that makes sense?
Even if Saga can take it, I...I guess I don't want her to have to feel like she has to support me right now. And this, talking with you instead, if I can just get it out, maybe I can justify sharing some space with her without feeling like all I'm doing is taking.
[Clearly he's not used to approaching issues this way, if he could, he would fall right back into pretending the world was fine, but with everyone suddenly having their invisible clocks counting down from 60 seconds to one and resetting again like any minute could be the last, it was a bit too much to juggle both the coping and the panicking at the same time.
Still, he catches on her words, and its so much easier to help someone else than try and help himself. Changing the subject might not be good for him right now, not good for progress on this issue, but he might could trade it for another.]
I don't think I could either, honestly. I get it.
Alan had wanted to live too, but sometimes that isn't enough, not when there is a ticking timer.] John told me something a while back that I've been trying to put into practice... which is why I came over, cause you're not gonna feel it the way I do. I don't remember the specifics, but it's like...leaning out? It feels wrong, asking someone close to the thing for help, because they probably feel the same way, but you're not so connected, It's less of an emotional burden to you, if that makes sense?
Even if Saga can take it, I...I guess I don't want her to have to feel like she has to support me right now. And this, talking with you instead, if I can just get it out, maybe I can justify sharing some space with her without feeling like all I'm doing is taking.
[Clearly he's not used to approaching issues this way, if he could, he would fall right back into pretending the world was fine, but with everyone suddenly having their invisible clocks counting down from 60 seconds to one and resetting again like any minute could be the last, it was a bit too much to juggle both the coping and the panicking at the same time.
Still, he catches on her words, and its so much easier to help someone else than try and help himself. Changing the subject might not be good for him right now, not good for progress on this issue, but he might could trade it for another.]
I don't think I could either, honestly. I get it.
[Taylor scoops the salamanders off her shoulder, a little awkward with the angle, and lets them nuzzle around her fingers a bit.]
It makes sense. [Despite them both leaning into the attempted topic change, she does feel the need to course-correct.] It might be good for both of you to share about him, but not until you feel like you can give as well as take. Yeah?
I've got the whole day open. Want to go up to the Enclosure and walk and talk? [Since she hasn't lured him into running with her yet.]
It makes sense. [Despite them both leaning into the attempted topic change, she does feel the need to course-correct.] It might be good for both of you to share about him, but not until you feel like you can give as well as take. Yeah?
I've got the whole day open. Want to go up to the Enclosure and walk and talk? [Since she hasn't lured him into running with her yet.]
I can take those little wigglers back if you want me to, they're kind of distracting, I know. [The pair of them like to nest in his hair seeing as the top of his head is warm, and he can feel their little heat spots against his scalp when they sleep.]
Maybe? I always get nervous talking to women I don't really know... [He said some stupid things to Ulla when they first met, probably had to Taylor and he doesn't even remember it, but it would be nice, for sure.] I dunno if she has any fun stories with Alan, but I guess I could ask... [He can tell she's putting a pin in the other conversation, taking in a deep breath before pushing himself up to stand. He'd been doing a lot of walking in the Enclosure over the month, but it would be nice to go somewhere that wasn't the east coast, less chilly and wet.]
Sure, not like sitting here trying not to panic is going to do me any good anyways.
Maybe? I always get nervous talking to women I don't really know... [He said some stupid things to Ulla when they first met, probably had to Taylor and he doesn't even remember it, but it would be nice, for sure.] I dunno if she has any fun stories with Alan, but I guess I could ask... [He can tell she's putting a pin in the other conversation, taking in a deep breath before pushing himself up to stand. He'd been doing a lot of walking in the Enclosure over the month, but it would be nice to go somewhere that wasn't the east coast, less chilly and wet.]
Sure, not like sitting here trying not to panic is going to do me any good anyways.
I don't mind them. They're sweet. [But she still offers them back. They're his, after all.]
[She rises with him, and leans in through the door to hook a hoodie off its rack, pulling it on over her usual tank-top.]
Anywhere in particular sound good? I usually queue up either Brockton Bay or Kamurocho, but they're not big mood-lifters without people.
[She rises with him, and leans in through the door to hook a hoodie off its rack, pulling it on over her usual tank-top.]
Anywhere in particular sound good? I usually queue up either Brockton Bay or Kamurocho, but they're not big mood-lifters without people.
They are just little lovers, aren't they? You want to hold onto Simon? He likes new people. Which is for the best, helps him swing back quicker than Garfunkel probably would. [He holds his hand out and Garfunkel hitches a ride, waiting just a moment for Simon, but he seems to not mind his new friend.
He isn't exactly dressed for the coldest weather, but he does have a sweater on over his button down.]
Maybe like...something ethereal and magical. Some deep, moss-filled wood? That sounds nice. I know I'm a city boy, but I'd always wanted to go explore some fae-woods before.
He isn't exactly dressed for the coldest weather, but he does have a sweater on over his button down.]
Maybe like...something ethereal and magical. Some deep, moss-filled wood? That sounds nice. I know I'm a city boy, but I'd always wanted to go explore some fae-woods before.
[following this thread. Hanna sounds ridiculous, it's the broken nose and his whole face is starting to swell, but he talks through it despite that.]
Hey, uh... to begin with, technically, I didn't start it. We'll, depending on how you look at it, maybe I did, but...I was just trying to do a wellness check and it kind if fell apart.
Hey, uh... to begin with, technically, I didn't start it. We'll, depending on how you look at it, maybe I did, but...I was just trying to do a wellness check and it kind if fell apart.
[It's fine! He doesn't have to go, the infirmary staff is coming to him, Taylor. He isn't stepping foot in there if he doesn't have to.]
Mostly just the broken nose? Scratched the shit out of my face, but it uh...didn't last very long. I've been working on this new spell? Worked like a fucking charm. Curtains in under sixty seconds.
Very effective. Maybe too effective...might have to tweak it a little actually if I want to use it for what it's supposed to be used for.
Mostly just the broken nose? Scratched the shit out of my face, but it uh...didn't last very long. I've been working on this new spell? Worked like a fucking charm. Curtains in under sixty seconds.
Very effective. Maybe too effective...might have to tweak it a little actually if I want to use it for what it's supposed to be used for.
Sleep. That was the intended purpose, so he'll feel fucking rested and perky when he gets up.
And hopefully sleep all the catty bitch off cause Jesus christ.
[The idea that she is asking in the off chance that he killed someone doesn't even occur to him. This would be a much different call if he did.]
And hopefully sleep all the catty bitch off cause Jesus christ.
[The idea that she is asking in the off chance that he killed someone doesn't even occur to him. This would be a much different call if he did.]
Edited 2025-01-16 22:57 (UTC)
I didn't even call him KFC this time, I was trying to be respectful!
[As if that would fix all past slights.]
He threw the door open into my face and I said like one thing before he socked me in the gut.
[As if that would fix all past slights.]
He threw the door open into my face and I said like one thing before he socked me in the gut.
Y-yeah, I was gonna mention that next. I slapped a protection spell on him that he's probably gonna bitch about and dragged him back into his cabin, so...
That sleep spell should last a good eight hours if you wanted to eat dinner first. I'm calling Ulla next anyways, I'll let her know.
That sleep spell should last a good eight hours if you wanted to eat dinner first. I'm calling Ulla next anyways, I'll let her know.
I wasn't gonna skip that part. Was gonna ask her to fix my shirt too, it's toast if not.
Well, i was planning on bitching a little less to garner more sympathy but now I know not to do that.
Thanks for the heads up. [He's mostly joking. Mostly.
Thanks for the heads up. [He's mostly joking. Mostly.
TTYL TK.
[It might be audio but there are still the crisp snap of a finger gun when he hangs up.]
[It might be audio but there are still the crisp snap of a finger gun when he hangs up.]
Ulla dresses appropriately for their greenhouse date, in her ivy-green gown, the shell combs Warren carved with a forest scene pulling her hair back from her face. And her contribution is dessert, thin pineapple slices and cloudberries arranged mosaic-like on a curved shell tray in the shape of flowers.
She gives Taylor a warm smile as she steps through the door. Hugs will have to wait a moment, though, till the fruit is safely set down.
She gives Taylor a warm smile as she steps through the door. Hugs will have to wait a moment, though, till the fruit is safely set down.
Taylor offers to take the beautiful dessert, leading Ulla towards the back of the greenhouse, to the quiet corner where the hives are surrounded by flowers. Because if she's holding something, her hands won't shake. She can't even send her nervous jitters out into the bees - Ulla knows her well enough she'd know something was up from the change of their sound. And besides, she wants to feel this entire afternoon.
She's in her blue dress today, her special dress, with the butterfly jewelry that Rags and Kiryu gave her. She has a closet-full of delicate, impossible gowns sung for her, but this dress is what she wears when she wants to feel her family with her. And this dress has a pocket. Very important.
She's spread a picnic blanket among the flowers, with a tray for a table, comfortable cushions, and the sorts of snacks they both like. The sort of date picnic they've had before, but Taylor's put so much nervous attention into each detail.
She's in her blue dress today, her special dress, with the butterfly jewelry that Rags and Kiryu gave her. She has a closet-full of delicate, impossible gowns sung for her, but this dress is what she wears when she wants to feel her family with her. And this dress has a pocket. Very important.
She's spread a picnic blanket among the flowers, with a tray for a table, comfortable cushions, and the sorts of snacks they both like. The sort of date picnic they've had before, but Taylor's put so much nervous attention into each detail.
Taylor taking the fruit lets Ulla wrap an arm around her waist as they walk, with a murmured, hello, sweetheart, and a kiss on the cheek. Then once they're seated, Taylor is getting kissed properly before Ulla considers any waiting snacks.
Ulla grins back at her. "Not bad, but it's improving by the second." This is very much the highlight of her day. Taylor and a quiet corner surrounded by plants.
"Mine too." She sits up, fidgeting a little with her skirt. Back in her cabin, there is a dragonfly perched above a few messy pages of half-drafted scripts, because Taylor knew she'd get tongue-tied, but it still takes her a moment.
"You're sunrise to me, do you know that?"
"You're sunrise to me, do you know that?"
Ulla reaches out, taking one of Taylor's fidgeting hands in hers and giving it a squeeze. When she wonders what her girlfriend is nervous about, the real reason never occurs to her. But she'll wait, letting Taylor find words.
"You're sunbeams filtering through the waves, light and warmth and movement."
She links her fingers into Ulla's, holding tight as she blushes. Okay. One more deep breath, and she pulls Ulla's hand up to press a kiss to her fingers.
She can do this.
"Loving you is like the Dawnlight," she says softly. "The things we know about each other, the truth and the- the trust that is between us- it has mended things in me.
"I love you the way I was afraid to love you, Ulla."
She can do this.
"Loving you is like the Dawnlight," she says softly. "The things we know about each other, the truth and the- the trust that is between us- it has mended things in me.
"I love you the way I was afraid to love you, Ulla."
"You're not the only one who was afraid," Ulla says softly. "I told Warren at the beginning that wanting you, trusting you, felt like throwing myself off a cliff, hoping I wouldn't break on the rocks below. You were worth it, though."
But she knows enough of Taylor's specific fears that her gaze sharpens, and she falls silent to wait. Taylor is going somewhere important.
She is. And she has to push some jitters out into the bees to keep herself moving forward, their contented hum pitching up a note as she slips her prosthetic hand into her pocket.
"I'm still afraid," she says. Not of love. Not of Ulla's answer. Mostly that she's going to fumble this moment. "But fear's not worth holding anything back."
It's a quick shift, from sitting to kneeling in front of Ulla, still holding her hand. The two rings gleam softly on her other palm, carved of rainbow nacre and looking impossibly fragile.
Another breath, like she's about to take a dive.
"Ulla, I want to give you every day of the rest of my life. I want my years to unscroll at your side. I want to marry you, if you'll say yes."
"I'm still afraid," she says. Not of love. Not of Ulla's answer. Mostly that she's going to fumble this moment. "But fear's not worth holding anything back."
It's a quick shift, from sitting to kneeling in front of Ulla, still holding her hand. The two rings gleam softly on her other palm, carved of rainbow nacre and looking impossibly fragile.
Another breath, like she's about to take a dive.
"Ulla, I want to give you every day of the rest of my life. I want my years to unscroll at your side. I want to marry you, if you'll say yes."
Ulla's breath catches. Even with the hints leading up to it, she wasn't prepared for that. Before she says anything, she leans in for a kiss, slow and lingering. Love and affection and gratitude, but also an apology of sorts. A promise of a better answer later. Because the first word out of her mouth isn't going to be yes. Not yet.
"Are you sure, love? I won't grow old alongside you. I can't imagine myself with children. And if you want those things, I want you to have them."
Taylor half-laughs, both from relief at getting the words out, and because she was positive this would be Ulla's first response. But the pressure is off now, and she scoots closer to lean in against her, holding the rings against her heart between them.
"I am rich with family already, love. Dad's is going to keep growing all his life, because of who he is. I have siblings on four worlds and counting. I want to be able to offer that family to anyone who comes needing it, but if children never fit into our family, I won't be missing anything.
"I'm sure." She kisses her cheek, and wants to just keep kissing her, but has to be more serious a moment. "But I want to make sure you are. Because I will leave you. Hopefully not for eighty more years, but it won't be when we'd choose it to be."
"I am rich with family already, love. Dad's is going to keep growing all his life, because of who he is. I have siblings on four worlds and counting. I want to be able to offer that family to anyone who comes needing it, but if children never fit into our family, I won't be missing anything.
"I'm sure." She kisses her cheek, and wants to just keep kissing her, but has to be more serious a moment. "But I want to make sure you are. Because I will leave you. Hopefully not for eighty more years, but it won't be when we'd choose it to be."
"Most people will," Ulla agrees. "You know that's a big part of why Warren encouraged me to stay, don't you? He wanted to make sure I wouldn't... build my whole life around him, and collapse when I lost him. Hjerte will help. He's immortal as long as I live. The practice connecting with people helped."
She pulls Taylor's head in to rest on her shoulder so that Ulla can kiss her hair. "I'll lose you someday, but if I start pushing people away for that, Hjerte and I will have to spend our lives alone, for the most part. It's a waste, and it's bleak, and I don't want that."
Ulla laughs softly at that, leaning her cheek against Taylor's head. "Yes," she murmurs.
They'll have to figure out where to live, and how to travel, but whether it takes another deal, or Iris's help, or something else entirely, they'll manage.
"What?" The conversation is on hold for a moment while Taylor gets kissed thoroughly. Preferably pinned to the blanket if she lets Ulla guide them down, but Ulla isn't picky as long as her lips are on Taylor's.
"You spent your deal on that, even before you asked me." Ulla raises the hand with her new ring, running her fingers down Taylor's cheek. Her voice goes soft and fervent. "Thank you, sweetheart."
"Let me see the other ring, please." Because it's Taylor's turn. The rings are a matched pair, after all. And Ulla wants to slide it onto her hand.
Ulla props her weight on one arm so the other is free to take the ring. She raises Taylor's hand to her lips, brushing a kiss over her knuckles before she slides the ring into place.
"I'm yours for the rest of your life, sweetheart. I'll love you for the rest of mine. If our time is limited, I won't waste it shying away from what we both want."
Taylor has to blink hard, the light coming through the leaves above them becoming a thousand green-tinged stars behind Ulla’s head as she tries so hard not to tear up. She clasps their hands together, pressing them to her chest, and tries to speak, but for a moment, it’s beyond her.
She doesn't need to speak for a moment anyway, because Ulla is leaning in to kiss her softly.
She'd assumed that this would dwindle eventually. Into fond occasional visits, and perhaps Taylor finding someone who could offer her the things Ulla can't, or won't. But she gets to keep Taylor. Not forever, but for so much longer than she hoped.
It's forever for Taylor, and it scares her. But in a way that feels like standing on a stage, about to begin something wonderful. She holds onto Ulla, both her arms around her, the hand wearing the ring buried in her hair.
"Hanna rushed me a little," she murmurs, grinning. "I didn't expect him to graduate so fast. I only changed my deal about a month ago."
"Hanna rushed me a little," she murmurs, grinning. "I didn't expect him to graduate so fast. I only changed my deal about a month ago."
Ulla laughs softly. "We would have managed without the deal. Iris, or some other way. If you needed it elsewhere. But I love that the rings connect worlds and families as well as you and me."
"I don't need another," Ulla tells her. "Especially with your latest one. If I'm paired and have another inmate graduate, I was planning on offering my deal to them, or to you."
Taylor chuckles. "I just want a version of this-" She pulls a watch from her pocket, and opens it to show the little metal turnkey inside. "That works off-ship. It lets me turn my powers off, or up." She hasn't shown it to Ulla before - she's been ashamed of it on some level. "But I can't have a permanent one without a deal."
"That's a good deal," Ulla tells her approvingly. "So it's always your choice. I'm glad you have one already, even if it's not forever."
If Ulla has another inmate graduate who isn't in desperate need themself, she wouldn't mind spending a deal of her own on that.
Well, if you're going to be Angel's warden then I suppose we're gonna have to meet and talk at some point or another. Considering he's basically living with me and all at this point.
Not like it's much of a secret.
Meet on the deck? Just finishing up in the Lounge and could use a bit of fresh air after.
Meet on the deck? Just finishing up in the Lounge and could use a bit of fresh air after.
[He'd just shrugged off the bee thing as some typo, because of course he had, that made the most sense at the time.
But he's probably able to get there quicker than her and is casually leaning against the railing of the deck with a cigar of all things held tightly between lips and teeth. Luckily coming from the Lounge means that he's dressed nicely compared to his usual hobo looking comfortable wear, wings hanging loosely at his sides and tail slowly swaying.]
But he's probably able to get there quicker than her and is casually leaning against the railing of the deck with a cigar of all things held tightly between lips and teeth. Luckily coming from the Lounge means that he's dressed nicely compared to his usual hobo looking comfortable wear, wings hanging loosely at his sides and tail slowly swaying.]
[A moth circles him once or twice when he first pitches up, then takes itself off.
Taylor's still dressed for working, which today means jeans cut off at the knee and a blank gray hoodie that looks tailored, having been made with just one sleeve for her one arm. Scraps, the blue and yellow cross between a ferret and a centipede, is curled up in the hood, her chin resting on Taylor's good shoulder. She doesn't have to look around for him when she reaches the deck, coming straight to join him with a little wave.]
Hey, thanks for reaching out.
Taylor's still dressed for working, which today means jeans cut off at the knee and a blank gray hoodie that looks tailored, having been made with just one sleeve for her one arm. Scraps, the blue and yellow cross between a ferret and a centipede, is curled up in the hood, her chin resting on Taylor's good shoulder. She doesn't have to look around for him when she reaches the deck, coming straight to join him with a little wave.]
Hey, thanks for reaching out.
[With how weird this place is, he can guess that's at least some sort of signal and is proven right not long after. He shifts a little to give her some room if she wants it, casually removing the cigar and making sure to blow the smoke away from her like a sane and civilized person.]
Figured we'd run into each other sooner rather than later and rather it be on good terms and without some sort of situation. [Not that... he expects something to happen, but who knows with the Barge.]
Husk, if you didn't know. Knew Angel back home, too, if you needed any information on what to look out for. Though he's doing better here than he was there.
Figured we'd run into each other sooner rather than later and rather it be on good terms and without some sort of situation. [Not that... he expects something to happen, but who knows with the Barge.]
Husk, if you didn't know. Knew Angel back home, too, if you needed any information on what to look out for. Though he's doing better here than he was there.
[A strange little creature, that, but he's used to weirder and just casually uses his free hand to hold out towards Scraps if they'd rather sniff that.]
Mm. Souls get wrapped up in contracts a lot down there and contracts don't mean shit here. So overall a better situation here, yeah. Probably also without all the knowledge of everyone knowing who he is here, too, so he can... choose what he wants to be seen as instead of it being foisted on him. [He's not terribly sure if it's much his place to be saying all of this, but if she read the whole file, it's all there anyway, he's sure.
Besides, it's not like he was ever quiet about that sort of thing, anyway.] Lot less hiding from the people that'd be pissed about what's going on with us, too, I'd guess.
Mm. Souls get wrapped up in contracts a lot down there and contracts don't mean shit here. So overall a better situation here, yeah. Probably also without all the knowledge of everyone knowing who he is here, too, so he can... choose what he wants to be seen as instead of it being foisted on him. [He's not terribly sure if it's much his place to be saying all of this, but if she read the whole file, it's all there anyway, he's sure.
Besides, it's not like he was ever quiet about that sort of thing, anyway.] Lot less hiding from the people that'd be pissed about what's going on with us, too, I'd guess.
[Scraps will very happily hold his hand with four of her eight tiny paws to give a thorough snuffing.]
This place was one hell of a respite for me, too. I've been an inmate twice. [She glances at him, with a self-deprecating bit of a smile.] And I chose to be a new person here, I get that.
I haven't read his file yet, planning to ask him about it first. Can I ask you some questions about Hell?
This place was one hell of a respite for me, too. I've been an inmate twice. [She glances at him, with a self-deprecating bit of a smile.] And I chose to be a new person here, I get that.
I haven't read his file yet, planning to ask him about it first. Can I ask you some questions about Hell?
[Luckily he's totally chill about being snuffled, just be mindful of the claws~
He's quiet for a long moment while he watches her, a small hint of a smile playing on his own lips before turning back to take another long drag of the cigar. Give him a moment while he just holds onto that smoke before letting it go again to actually answer her.]
Seems to be what a lot of people do. And go ahead, though I hadn't been in Hell as long as he has.
He's quiet for a long moment while he watches her, a small hint of a smile playing on his own lips before turning back to take another long drag of the cigar. Give him a moment while he just holds onto that smoke before letting it go again to actually answer her.]
Seems to be what a lot of people do. And go ahead, though I hadn't been in Hell as long as he has.
[Aww, he wouldn't have had a problem with that. Ah well, he lowers his hand again, letting it stay on the rail and lightly dig his claws into it instead.]
Heaven and Hell are both real and somewhere where you can go when you die, yeah. ... And our world was, dunno, like anyone else's that had humans and shit like that. Normal, boring, nothin' much special about it. But none of us looked like this before we died.
Heaven and Hell are both real and somewhere where you can go when you die, yeah. ... And our world was, dunno, like anyone else's that had humans and shit like that. Normal, boring, nothin' much special about it. But none of us looked like this before we died.
[He'd almost been waiting for that question as he brings his tail up with a soft bit of a snort.] Not a single fucking choice. I sure the shit wouldn't have been a cat.
[Hey, at least he isn't naturally a cat or anything! Bonuses for... him? Who knows.] For some, sure, for others? Eh. I can understand where my patterns and shit on me came from, but no idea why the cat thing. Angel's is... a stupid pun, really. So there might be some.
A web of crime. Spiders making webs. Stupid bullshit like that. Pretty obvious, if you ask me, but ain't like I know who makes these rules.
[Give him a moment to actually look over the rails, he... might not have noticed the nets before given he'd no reason to, huh.]
Well, shit. I knew this place did weird things to people, but that's a bit of a new one.
Well, shit. I knew this place did weird things to people, but that's a bit of a new one.
Yeah, everyone became creatures in that one. My dad was a dragon. My brother was a ferret. I was a giant spider-woman. [She works her hand, rubbing the faint silver scars across her palm with her thumb.]
Back home, I was part of a criminal organization. I held territory, threatened politicians, tore up rival gangs. Basic mob shit. And I have the bug powers. So spider analogies are triple-on-the-nose.
Back home, I was part of a criminal organization. I held territory, threatened politicians, tore up rival gangs. Basic mob shit. And I have the bug powers. So spider analogies are triple-on-the-nose.
Coulda been worse, I guess. But you never fuckin' know with this place. [Normally he'd ask about scars.... But for now, he'll leave that there unless she offers the information herself, it's not his place to push and prod, after all.]
Sounds more familiar than I'd rather say. Did much the same shit to a degree, though that was a long time ago and after I'd died. Ain't relevant anymore, at least. [Bug powers, huh.]
Wanna elaborate on that powers thing so I got an idea of what's goin' on? ... Mostly so I know if I need to avoid shit with him if it's gonna bother you.
Sounds more familiar than I'd rather say. Did much the same shit to a degree, though that was a long time ago and after I'd died. Ain't relevant anymore, at least. [Bug powers, huh.]
Wanna elaborate on that powers thing so I got an idea of what's goin' on? ... Mostly so I know if I need to avoid shit with him if it's gonna bother you.
[Taylor chuckles, looking aside. Despite the smile, this part is uncomfortable.]
Yeah, that’s- So, I control bugs, and their senses are mine. I can choose to control or not, but I can’t choose not to feel, see, hear… you see?
Now, I have a few million bugs on board. A few thousand are spiders. If I don’t have to think about him, I can lose Angel in that crowd. I did, until we got temped last month.
Yeah, that’s- So, I control bugs, and their senses are mine. I can choose to control or not, but I can’t choose not to feel, see, hear… you see?
Now, I have a few million bugs on board. A few thousand are spiders. If I don’t have to think about him, I can lose Angel in that crowd. I did, until we got temped last month.
[... Ah, he can take a guess as to where this is going given the soft snort of amusement while he takes another long drag from that cigar.]
So what I'm guessing is that you want me to keep things behind closed doors? Despite how it appears, I am a classy man in that regard. [... Angel is not. But he at least knows how to wrangle the spider somewhere properly private if it involves himself at least.]
So what I'm guessing is that you want me to keep things behind closed doors? Despite how it appears, I am a classy man in that regard. [... Angel is not. But he at least knows how to wrangle the spider somewhere properly private if it involves himself at least.]
Ahahh, yeah, I can tell. I don’t want to know what you’re getting up to. Private cabins, please, and not his. I’m asking for a solution with the Admiral, but I haven’t heard back yet.
[She looks away down the deck - she can feel Angel going about his business a few levels down.]
He was- disturbingly okay hearing that I have the option to simply control him. I’ve got absolutely no intentions to, but that was weird. People usually get tense.
[She looks away down the deck - she can feel Angel going about his business a few levels down.]
He was- disturbingly okay hearing that I have the option to simply control him. I’ve got absolutely no intentions to, but that was weird. People usually get tense.
He doesn't tend to stay in his own cabin much anymore, for what that's worth. Mine's right next to his and he's mostly moved in at this point. [What is modesty? He barely knows her.] But that's noted, if you catch anything happening outside I can guarantee you that it ain't me doing it at least. Can't control what he gets up to with others.
[Mm. He goes quiet for the longest moment, attention shifting back off the deck again, tail slowly flicking behind him. Yeah, he can... think of a few reasons why that might not have gotten the reaction she expected.]
'Cause he's used to it. The one holding his leash back home isn't the askin' type, if you catch my drift.
[Mm. He goes quiet for the longest moment, attention shifting back off the deck again, tail slowly flicking behind him. Yeah, he can... think of a few reasons why that might not have gotten the reaction she expected.]
'Cause he's used to it. The one holding his leash back home isn't the askin' type, if you catch my drift.
[Fuck, that question. A soft sigh is her answer at first before he uses those wings to instead perch himself on the railing properly, looking far more like a gargoyle than he might have meant to.]
There's some things you'd only notice him do or not do from the outside that he's not really aware of. But... thing is I can't tell you what he might also not say no to. The only context I have for it is only when it comes to more sexual things and you ain't gotta worry about that.
[Slowly he's wrapping his tail around the railing just as an extra precaution.] He's... [He trails off, how does he even with this?] It might be better if you know about the asshole that holds the leash so you can figure out if something is or isn't a point he wouldn't be able to say no to.
There's some things you'd only notice him do or not do from the outside that he's not really aware of. But... thing is I can't tell you what he might also not say no to. The only context I have for it is only when it comes to more sexual things and you ain't gotta worry about that.
[Slowly he's wrapping his tail around the railing just as an extra precaution.] He's... [He trails off, how does he even with this?] It might be better if you know about the asshole that holds the leash so you can figure out if something is or isn't a point he wouldn't be able to say no to.
Ulla came back in one piece, fretting more over Aerith than herself. With more than enough energy to transform before she goes to sleep.
But that night she jolts awake from dreams of Signy's voice, long tail thrashing slightly in their bed, not easy to hide when Taylor is curled against her.
But that night she jolts awake from dreams of Signy's voice, long tail thrashing slightly in their bed, not easy to hide when Taylor is curled against her.
Taylor’s awake the moment Ulla’s movements go from sleepy to upset, and she half-sits, a swarm suddenly filling the air above them as she puts a hand on Ulla’s shoulder. Her thousand senses tell her nothing has changed in the cabin before she even has time to exhale, and so she eases back down, squeezes her arm lightly. “Hey, it’s okay…”
Ulla tilts her head, pulling Taylor in to rest their foreheads together.
She sighs, a soft breath against her fiancee's lips, before admitting, "I didn't tell you the worst part of it. For me. Aerith had a worse time, I didn't lie when I said she was who I was most worried about."
Ulla considers how to describe it, settling on, "That place, the way it was, was designed to... dig into people in ways that hurt. I wasn't touched, physically. But the whole time, Signy's voice whispering horrible things in my mind."
Video | Backdated to Angel's announcement about Husk's disappearance
notthatkindoforion
2025-05-12 02:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey, Taylor?
I'm going to be sitting with Angel a while. Um, probably fairly regularly over the next few days. Or weeks. You know, in case he freaks out or needs medical intervention.
[Not 'in case he uses again', that's just a given. She's being a trip-sitter and she knows it.]
I just wanted you to know it's as his friend, not as a warden. I'm not trying to step on any toes, I just want to... make sure he's as safe as he can be, you know?
I'm going to be sitting with Angel a while. Um, probably fairly regularly over the next few days. Or weeks. You know, in case he freaks out or needs medical intervention.
[Not 'in case he uses again', that's just a given. She's being a trip-sitter and she knows it.]
I just wanted you to know it's as his friend, not as a warden. I'm not trying to step on any toes, I just want to... make sure he's as safe as he can be, you know?
At least he'll know Nuggs is being looked after. Him too, of course, but I'm not sure he... cares much about that right now.
I wish I could do more for him.
I wish I could do more for him.
Yeah. Make sure he doesn't get too lost in his own head.
...how are you holding up?
...how are you holding up?
Oh, you know...
...still in a coma. It's been more than a month, now.
[She knows he won't be physically harmed by being in the weird stasis that everyone calls a 'coma' here, but she's still worried.]
...still in a coma. It's been more than a month, now.
[She knows he won't be physically harmed by being in the weird stasis that everyone calls a 'coma' here, but she's still worried.]
Yeah.
What's it like? Is it just like being asleep, or more like blinking, like anesthesia? Did you have any sense of time passing?
If- if you don't mind me asking, of course.
What's it like? Is it just like being asleep, or more like blinking, like anesthesia? Did you have any sense of time passing?
If- if you don't mind me asking, of course.
More like a nap on the couch. You didn't intend to sleep and suddenly the whole day is gone and you're completely lost off the clock. I never wake up where I passed out, either, which is disorienting.
I know time has passed as soon as I'm awake, but that's the bugs.
I know time has passed as soon as I'm awake, but that's the bugs.
Edited 2025-05-25 03:47 (UTC)
Right. Thanks. That's- well, I guess it's not helpful exactly, since it doesn't change anything. But I feel better knowing more about the experience?
At least Da- Sam was in his own bed when it happened.
At least Da- Sam was in his own bed when it happened.
Well... I mean, I have a Dad back home? But Sam was just - in the breach, I mean - things were... different.
[She feels a little guilty. She genuinely adores her father, after all. But what Sam had been to Devana in that breach... it wasn't anything like what she'd been able to have with either parent. It's hard to let go of that, especially when neither she nor Samwise really seem to want to.]
[She feels a little guilty. She genuinely adores her father, after all. But what Sam had been to Devana in that breach... it wasn't anything like what she'd been able to have with either parent. It's hard to let go of that, especially when neither she nor Samwise really seem to want to.]
B'Rt did the best he could, but... well, tradition is tradition. He was never going to get much say in how I was raised.
[Even her mother didn't have much of a choice, if she wanted their House and Tendi herself to survive. Especially before D'Erika was born.]
[Even her mother didn't have much of a choice, if she wanted their House and Tendi herself to survive. Especially before D'Erika was born.]
Spare dad club.
I got to reconnect with Danny after I graduated the first time - he supported me through my trial, and the time I spent in jail - but that was more friendly than parental. Kazuma's my dad in all the ways that matter now. I'll live near him when I leave here.
[And Danny thinks she's dead. She's keeping it that way.]
I got to reconnect with Danny after I graduated the first time - he supported me through my trial, and the time I spent in jail - but that was more friendly than parental. Kazuma's my dad in all the ways that matter now. I'll live near him when I leave here.
[And Danny thinks she's dead. She's keeping it that way.]
Yeah... I'll always be grateful for how much my dad taught me about starship systems. [As in, how to exploit them.] He's honestly brilliant with them, and it was one of the few sciency things I could really dig into and learn about without my parents thinking it was a waste of time.
But, well... he's a man. And I was the Tendi Prime. Technically I outranked him, even as a child? It... made things kind of complicated.
[Things like genuinely connecting with him.]
But, well... he's a man. And I was the Tendi Prime. Technically I outranked him, even as a child? It... made things kind of complicated.
[Things like genuinely connecting with him.]
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