IC contact for lastvoyages

[cactusy]

[If I don't have an active post up, feel free to use this post to have your character call, videochat, text, or knock on Shaw's door.]

Comments

[never_francesca]

It worked every time.

[It's out before she can stop it, and more follows.]

Her life was...even more alone than mine is. Death around every corner, nothing but losses. Every time was...special. Memorable.

Satisfying.

[empathicfault]

[ He opens his mouth, stops for a moment, then closes it. ]

It's already done all the hurting it's going to. Depending on the person, I might have to worry about liking it too much.

[ And since he's pretty sure he knows what she's getting at: ]

I wouldn't enjoy hurting you, but I would if I had to.

[cactusy]

[Shit.

In theory, that should be good. She'd asked because she'd been hoping to hear that her plan had gone as intended; that she'd left that other Franky with something solid and worth remembering. But what she says is--]

I'm sorry.

[cactusy]

But your-- empathy thing. Having to hurt me wouldn't make you hurt?

[empathicfault]

[ Will shakes his head, looking slightly apologetic. ]

I'm too used to chasing murderers. I mean, I'd empathize with the victims too, you know? I've gotten used to enacting the violence I need to in order to save other people from those fates.

I don't know if that means I'm desensitized now, or if I'm broken. But either way, I can do it.

[cactusy]

That's not a bad thing.

[In this context, it's actually something of a relief.]

Wouldn't want to ask you to potentially do something like that if it'd hurt you, that's all.

[never_francesca]

[That provokes a bit of a look.]

Sorry for what?

[cactusy]

Uh-- being that important, and then just... going back to being the real me? The situation kinda sucks.

[never_francesca]

You're selling yourself sh-

[She stops, shaking her head, rubbing the back of her neck.]

What sucks is...the mixing up. The breaches all faded before, you know? Back to my usual self, tickety-boo as they say. I could tell what was there, what was here.

And here, well, it's usually a lot simpler. Alone, like being that way and...and, well. Hadn't found myself drawn to...[she clears her throat.]

To women before. Or...or a woman.

[cactusy]

That doesn't make it worse?

[She asks, mildly baffled.]

[never_francesca]

[She half-laughs, and the next statement is out before she even thinks about it.]

Makes it bloody confusing but sex that satisfying doesn't make anything worse.

[And then her face realizes she's said it.]

Shit, my turn to say sorry, I think. A bit gauche of me, as they say.

[cactusy]

I'm good at what I do.

[It's meant to be a quip, even if she's too worn out to sound properly lighthearted. Either way, she certainly isn't offended.]

[never_francesca]

[She sighs, what little is left of her pretense falling away.]

Clearly.

[She swallows, thickly.]

Enough so that the thoughts have...lingered. They're...not going away, like the other breaches did.

[cactusy]

Want me to help you find a rebound?

[It's another joke, though honestly, if Franky takes it as a serious offer she'll absolutely do it.]

[never_francesca]

[And she does, in return, look mildly affronted at the suggestion.]

What? No! God, no. Look, I'm a big girl, I can sort out the suddenly new things, I don't need some half-assed letdown to follow y...

[She waves that away.]

All my standards are uncompromising. Not many have ever measured up. Or delivered...adequately.

[Translation: she is a vigorous, energetic lady and very, very few are worth her time, and fewer still have made her body sing.]

Your, uh, gal in port. She's lucky.

[cactusy]

[She's dead. She isn't anything anymore. Shaw's face is still and blank, her mouth dry.]

Thanks.

[Because really, what else does one say here?]

[worthallthis]

The dogs shuffle closer at the shiver. Both of them have been at least casually trained as therapy dogs, and know cues like that. B gives her ankle a pat under the blankets. "I'll get you some lunch then. And tea. Don't know that coffee'll feel great right now. Wanna keep an eye on the dogs for me while I do that?"

[empathicfault]

Thanks.

[ Simply said, but after a moment he realizes he might need to explain. ]

That's more consideration than anyone back home would've given me.

[cactusy]

"Sure."

D gets a little scratch behind the ear, but otherwise, she doesn't move; she's ready to stay ensconced in her blanket cocoon for a bit.

[cactusy]

It's consideration I had to learn to give. And I'm still rough enough around the edges that I keep making people here think I can't give it at all.

[Pushing away from the wall, she moves shakily towards the railing, seeking open air (or as much as she can get on a magic spaceship surrounded by an airpocket, anyway). ]

But it's important.

[empathicfault]

It is.

[ Will follows her lead, leaning on the railing a few feet away from her and looking out. ]

I'm glad you learned it. And don't be too concerned about the rest of the ship. I think time will soothe their worries about you. -well. Not sure about Harkin, but it's not gonna work out with everyone.

[cactusy]

I think he and I have an... understanding. Kind of.

[She presses her forehead to the topmost railing for a moment, then straightens, exhaling as she stares out at the stars.]

Usually it takes me a while to soothe people's worries about me - that, or I don't have to work long-term with them at all.

[Which is usually the better option all around, honestly.]

Here, I don't have that kind of time.

[empathicfault]

[ Will's eyebrows raise in slight surprise at hearing that they worked something out. He's not sure what could've happened, but he's glad to hear it. ]

Why not? [ It's genuinely curious, not accusatory. ] I've heard time stops while we're here. Does that not help?

[cactusy]

He still kinda hates me.

[Shaw adds, catching that eyebrow-raise.]

He did some tattoos for me, though. Gonna see if he'll do them over for me again, now that I've lost them.

[That's an easier topic to tackle than his question, which she isn't exactly putting off so much as still mulling over.]

[empathicfault]

I mean, you did pretty much call him a slave. From what I've heard.

[ Just...getting that out of the way. It wasn't the best first impression. ]

But if he did 'em before, he probably will again.