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

[cactusy]

[Shaw watches him, her own face a little frozen itself.]

Point taken. Do you, uh--

[She gestures at Winston. Do you need the dog, buddy.]

[empathicfault]

[ He takes in a slightly-shaky breath and puts his hand on Winston's head, slowly petting it. Winston is used to this, and just stays in place on Shaw's lap. Will looks down at his hand and quietly chuckles at himself. ]

Ah. Thanks. If you can believe it, this is me doing a lot better.

[cactusy]

Dogs are pretty cool. I don't know that they actually make that much of a difference for me, but I like being around them anyway.

[They're definitely easier than people, on multiple levels.]

[worthallthis]

"Yeah, the one in my universe. Other-Steve." His mouth twitches a bit into half a smile. "This Steve comes from earlier in the timeline, well before the time-traveling became a thing. He spent ten years on the Barge, it-- changed him. Like ten years anywhere would, really. We prevented the thing they needed time-travel for in his universe, and faked his death so he could stay with me and the version of me in his universe got some decent closure."

Yes, multiple universes are awful. And also another reason why he isn't so sure about his deal anymore.

[cactusy]

"You don't think not being around would upset some kind of balance for this Steve here?"

[routemistress]

that is a feature not a bug

also yay! you're up!

[cactusy]

soup's not bad

[routemistress]

it's fucking magnificent is what it is. could practically raise the dead.

missed you

[cactusy]

don't be weird, you don't even know me

[routemistress]

yes but you walk around this boat like a thrown hammer. it's noticeable when it's not there. also no one to fight.

[cactusy]

you saying you want to come by and fight now

[Shaw, you are LITERALLY deathtolling.]

[routemistress]

aren't you down with the deads still?

[cactusy]

i'm not actually dead

[routemistress]

you know what i mean you ridiculous woman

[cactusy]

didn't stop me the first time around

[empathicfault]

Yeah. And hey- if you like 'em, they're probably good for you, too. Dogs are...not complicated.

[ He scritches behind Winston's ears in a more normal manner. That gets him a little lick on his hand before he pulls it away, getting out of Shaw's personal space. ]

Saved my life, too. I was sleepwalking at one point and ended up on my roof. The dogs woke me up before I fell.

[cactusy]

[She's quiet for a moment, studying him.]

That happen to you a lot?

[empathicfault]

No, that was during the encephalitis...my untreated brain infection. Used to sleepwalk a little when I was a teenager too, but- nothing that bad.

[ He smirks a little. He's used to being stared at. Even if he's not sure why she's doing so right now, he'll guess. ]

But yeah, I'm probably not the best person to give you advice on sticking to reality. I know. I just- have a lot of practice trying to do so myself.

[cactusy]

I'd rather talk about it with someone who gets it than someone it's just a hypothetical for. We could, I dunno, keep an eye on each other. Swap tips.

[worthallthis]

"Yeah, see, that's why I'm unsure about doing it," B nods. "Because for one, I ain't gonna do that to Steve. If I can get some assurance from the Admiral that who I am now won't go away-- I don't know." He shrugs helplessly. "I got no real desire to die. I've got a lot of good shit in my life. It's just weighing the harm my life caused, in my world, you know?"

[cactusy]

"Yeah."

Pause.

"I'm glad you're not gonna do it to him. You think you can trust the Admiral's word, or would you need proof of some kind?"

[worthallthis]

"I know the Admiral is... squirrely about some things, but I think he means well, and his word is good when he gives it," B says after a moment. "Besides, what kinda proof am I gonna ask for? I don't think there is any." He shrugs. "I still might not do it. I don't really have to think too hard about it until I get a permanent inmate, and at the rate I'm goin', that's never gonna happen."

[cactusy]

"How long have you been waiting?"

[worthallthis]

"It'll be three years in August. Four, counting that year we were shipwrecked," B answers. "I'm doing good here. I've had people graduate who told me I helped them do it. Which is how it should be, we're all here for each other, not just whoever we're assigned, y'know?"

But it's still wearing on him, not having anyone who apparently works well enough with him to be actually his to help. Especially as he sees people just arriving get paired up immediately, seeing people who've been here less tim than him graduate their inmates.

He shakes his head a little. He's not here to mope, even if his moping might help distract her. "It won't be like that for you. I'm the only one who's never been paired. Usually it happens in the first year or so, or sooner."

[cactusy]

"There has to be a reason, though, right? For some reason, you don't go easily with anybody."

And she wouldn't be too surprised if she were the same. Already she can feel how out of step she is with most of the rest of the ship. B fits it far better than she does.