cactusy | IC contact for lastvoyages

[ 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.

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

[ 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

[ 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?

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.]

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.

I meant it like "you're a slave to this stupid curse and it's bad that someone did that to you", not "you're my slave". But, uh-- he wasn't a fan of the sentiment either way.

Yeah... [ But he trails off, because some part of that sits wrong. ]

Wait, you were talking about a curse? Not his whole deal-making thing?

From what I understand, they're a part of the same thing. If he makes a deal, he can't adjust the terms or get out of it even if it ends up sucking for him.

Oh- no.

[ He shakes his head. ]

That's not- not a curse, that's just what he is. From everything he told me, that's how his brand of fae folk operates. He makes Deals. They're not magically binding here, but...I'm sure it still feels right, to him.

They're magically binding for him, even if they aren't for us.

Yeah, because he's pretty much...made of Belief, and exists to do this. He follows the rules of his universe. But he does make the decision to take an offering and make the deal in the first place. That still doesn't sit well with you?

It doesn't sit well with me that if circumstances change, or if he finds out the deal wasn't what he thought it was, he's still stuck with it. He doesn't have the option of reassessing his situation like the rest of us do.

[ Will lets out a small sigh. ]

That is true. I...imagine he's been burned badly on deals before. I expect it makes him careful. I know how important it is to support and acknowledge what you can control, when you have less than full autonomy.

At least his warden seems to know what she's doing.

[She definitely handles his whole everything better than Shaw does.]

Maggie, right? I hope so.

[ Because from everything Will's gathered, Harkin hasn't been in the best state lately. ]

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