Will Graham (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
empathicfault) wrote2023-06-18 11:04 am
empathicfault) wrote2023-06-18 11:04 am
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[Open for text/audio/action/whatever.]
[Open for text/audio/action/whatever.]
[When Shaw wakes up, she elects not to interrupt Will going about his day, once she verifies via her warden item that he's safe and healthy. But when he next comes into his cabin, he'll find her awake, still wherever he'd left her coma'd body - and with Jet lying across her legs, her gently scruffing at his face.]
Edited (fun new idea for myself: proof-reading BEFORE i hit submit) 2023-07-12 15:55 (UTC)
[ He'd left her on his bed, as he has been sleeping on the couch- those nights when he's actually been sleeping, and also been here. Tonight, he comes back from his shift at the kennels with both Winston and Jax in tow. He freezes when he sees Shaw up, then breaks into a smile.
The dogs tug at their leashes and he bends down to unhook them. They both rush towards Shaw, eager to greet her. ]
Hey. Welcome back.
The dogs tug at their leashes and he bends down to unhook them. They both rush towards Shaw, eager to greet her. ]
Hey. Welcome back.
Hey
Just wanna make sure you're ok.
Know shit's been crazy
I'm all right. Feeling worn out by people, but that's not exactly new.
How about you? You wading through all the drama okay?
How about you? You wading through all the drama okay?
I don't know what else to do.
I'm really trying
Really
I just
Why can't I get this right?
I fucking suck at this.
At what, the new Speakeasy rule? I think it's going well.
It's a compromise, which means no one's going to be totally happy about it. But you're explaining things well, and you've been really responsible with the whole thing. You're going above and beyond what effort I would've given it.
It's a compromise, which means no one's going to be totally happy about it. But you're explaining things well, and you've been really responsible with the whole thing. You're going above and beyond what effort I would've given it.
[ from here ]
Something in between you and the other person gets lost in translation. Was it like this at home for you, too?
Something in between you and the other person gets lost in translation. Was it like this at home for you, too?
I guess so. I almost never had any friends. Even when I did have friends they seemed annoyed a lot of the time.
Will was reading, but he knows that knock. He sets the book- Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Birds and Exotic Pets- down and shifts Winston off his lap, heading for the door immediately.
"Hi," he says, on opening the door. He tugs it open wider to offer Malcolm a quick escape into his cabin. "What happened?"
"Hi," he says, on opening the door. He tugs it open wider to offer Malcolm a quick escape into his cabin. "What happened?"
Shaw?
[ He sounds confused. There's a short pause on the line. ]
I'm...uh, still recovering. What was that about magic? Why not Iris?
[ He sounds confused. There's a short pause on the line. ]
I'm...uh, still recovering. What was that about magic? Why not Iris?
[As soon as he's down the hall a little ways after this conversation, Neal calls Will. He doesn't know if Malcolm is going to do it or if he's going to force himself to stew in his own anxiety for a bit first as personal punishment for whatever he thinks he did wrong.
Tiredly:]
Hey. Are you free?
Tiredly:]
Hey. Are you free?
Neal?
Hi. Yeah, I'm free.
[ Whaaat is going on? ]
Hi. Yeah, I'm free.
[ Whaaat is going on? ]
I'm in my cabin right now, I'll stay until I get an all clear. What's happening?
Always. [ No hesitation, even. ]
Whose dog is it? What kind?
Whose dog is it? What kind?
[Malcolm is still in his bed, though he's taken off his restraints. He's laying on his side, so behind him the camera is picking up the half circle window with golden morning light streaming through it.]
Hey. [He smiles when he sees Will's face.] Looks like they're gone now. The other world people. So. ...That was my family.
[He's inviting comment.]
Hey. [He smiles when he sees Will's face.] Looks like they're gone now. The other world people. So. ...That was my family.
[He's inviting comment.]
Hey.
[ Says Will, with a smile. He's sleepy, still lying in bed with Winston and Buster and wearing his sleeping attire- a sweaty t-shirt and boxer briefs. Unlike Malcolm's place, Will's is dark like a cave. It's how he tends to keep it, especially in the mornings. He pushes himself up on one elbow to address Malcolm. ]
So it was. I feel lucky I got to meet them before we went back. Hope I...uh. [ He rubs at his face, trying to figure out how to word it. ] Hope I made an okay impression, at least.
How was it for you, seeing them again?
[ Says Will, with a smile. He's sleepy, still lying in bed with Winston and Buster and wearing his sleeping attire- a sweaty t-shirt and boxer briefs. Unlike Malcolm's place, Will's is dark like a cave. It's how he tends to keep it, especially in the mornings. He pushes himself up on one elbow to address Malcolm. ]
So it was. I feel lucky I got to meet them before we went back. Hope I...uh. [ He rubs at his face, trying to figure out how to word it. ] Hope I made an okay impression, at least.
How was it for you, seeing them again?
Hey
You talk to Lark at all while he was here?
You talk to Lark at all while he was here?
Hey. I talked to him over the flood, but I think we got disconnected. He said there were some things he meant to tell me before he got pulled away.
Why? You manage a chat?
Why? You manage a chat?
[ His voice is soft and very tired. ] Will, sorry to bother you. Malcolm and I were talking and it took a turn. He... upset me. He didn't mean to. I need a minute, but he wants to fix it now.
I don't know how to make him believe I'll come back. If you've... If you can help. I'd appreciate it.
I don't know how to make him believe I'll come back. If you've... If you can help. I'd appreciate it.
Sure.
[ He had just left to grab the dogs, and he doesn't know what topic they got onto, but- he knows how nervous Malcolm had been about going back. It wouldn't take much to set him off-kilter. And once Malcolm worries about something, he wants to fix it. ]
I was going to head back to his place soon, anyway. I'll try to have him give you some space. Take your time.
[ He had just left to grab the dogs, and he doesn't know what topic they got onto, but- he knows how nervous Malcolm had been about going back. It wouldn't take much to set him off-kilter. And once Malcolm worries about something, he wants to fix it. ]
I was going to head back to his place soon, anyway. I'll try to have him give you some space. Take your time.
[From here.]
Malcolm bursts into Will’s cabin and goes straight to the couch and flops on his back there like a petulant teenager.
“Shaw doesn’t want to be friends anymore because she can’t fix me.”
Malcolm bursts into Will’s cabin and goes straight to the couch and flops on his back there like a petulant teenager.
“Shaw doesn’t want to be friends anymore because she can’t fix me.”
Will is currently tucked into his armchair with Winston on his lap. He looks up from his book (Theories of Transmutation and Chemical Alterations) and blinks. He stares at Malcolm for a long moment, seemingly reaching back into something in his mind, then sets the book down on a nearby table.
"Did she say those words?" he asks, tone neutral other than a vague curiosity.
"Did she say those words?" he asks, tone neutral other than a vague curiosity.
What?
[ A long pause, then a bit of a laugh and an unusually cheery- ] Congratulations, Shaw! I should've seen that coming. Who ended up asking?
[ A long pause, then a bit of a laugh and an unusually cheery- ] Congratulations, Shaw! I should've seen that coming. Who ended up asking?
Serious talk, huh? Okay, uh...wherever you'd rather is fine. I'm free now.
[On arrival in port, right after this.]
I hear there's a forest. I need to run. Will you come with me? Can you take my clothes?
I hear there's a forest. I need to run. Will you come with me? Can you take my clothes?
Of course. I'll bring a pack with clothes and something to snack on.
[ It's Twizzlers. He's started making sure he always has some in his cabin, for when Malcolm appears and needs something comforting. ]
How're you feeling?
[ It's Twizzlers. He's started making sure he always has some in his cabin, for when Malcolm appears and needs something comforting. ]
How're you feeling?
In port, before Wolfing; video from a hallway while he walks
abrightboy
2023-09-21 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
[Right after this but before Wolfening.]
Hey, just an FYi that Shaw has been doing self-prescribed civic clean up in the docking ring, apparently, and today she got shot. She’s okay. She’s with Root in their hotel room. But just in case you wonder why she comes back after with a hole in her.
Hey, just an FYi that Shaw has been doing self-prescribed civic clean up in the docking ring, apparently, and today she got shot. She’s okay. She’s with Root in their hotel room. But just in case you wonder why she comes back after with a hole in her.
[ That actually pulls out a bark of a laugh from him. ]
Of course she has been. There was no way she was going to just leave all that crime there completely unfought.
Did Root call you? Did they- wait, doesn't Shaw have Gaius' healing?
Of course she has been. There was no way she was going to just leave all that crime there completely unfought.
Did Root call you? Did they- wait, doesn't Shaw have Gaius' healing?
You're not killing any gangsters for Bright. If this port is the same length as the last one was, we're leaving tomorrow; you won't have time.
Besides, they ended the encounter way more messed up than us; Bright might've killed a couple. Which probably isn't going to be great for his long-term mental health.
Besides, they ended the encounter way more messed up than us; Bright might've killed a couple. Which probably isn't going to be great for his long-term mental health.
Maybe it would've been better for his mental health if he didn't have to back you up, in that case.
[ It's snapped- the timing is bad, and he hasn't had a chance to calm down yet. ]
Why aren't you getting Gaius' healing? When you pushed it so hard on me? You really think you're going to be able to tell when you're just about to die?
[ It's snapped- the timing is bad, and he hasn't had a chance to calm down yet. ]
Why aren't you getting Gaius' healing? When you pushed it so hard on me? You really think you're going to be able to tell when you're just about to die?
[True to her word, once the wolfination happens, Shaw keeps to her promise to keep a close eye on Will. Outside of the patrols they'd already been doing together, she conforms her schedule to fit his rather than the other away around: not restricting his movements or activities, and not necessarily interacting any more than usual, but nevertheless hanging around a lot every day, quietly observing.
This evening when she finds him out on deck, she's been absent for a few hours, and as she leans forward against the railing she jumps right into:]
So it's been, what, about two weeks? How's it going so far?
This evening when she finds him out on deck, she's been absent for a few hours, and as she leans forward against the railing she jumps right into:]
So it's been, what, about two weeks? How's it going so far?
[ Will has been different. Not greatly so, but enough to notice. He moves with a purpose. He looks far less tired. He's more willing to head off on his own during patrols, and Shaw has probably had to call him back a couple of times.
He's been the same with his dogs, though- patient, content. Both Winston and Buster are out on the deck with him now, unleashed and sniffing around. Buster is still a little tense, which mostly comes out in the way he sticks fairly close to Winston. Which means they both come over to Shaw as she walks over. ]
Since I was turned? [ He never did get a particular term. ] It's going well. I only get a couple of hours a day, but I wasn't sure if I'd be able to change at all. I'm still getting used to the heightened senses. I'm not getting as overwhelmed as I expected.
[ After a moment, he concedes: ] Malcolm's present from Chiron II might be the main reason for that.
He's been the same with his dogs, though- patient, content. Both Winston and Buster are out on the deck with him now, unleashed and sniffing around. Buster is still a little tense, which mostly comes out in the way he sticks fairly close to Winston. Which means they both come over to Shaw as she walks over. ]
Since I was turned? [ He never did get a particular term. ] It's going well. I only get a couple of hours a day, but I wasn't sure if I'd be able to change at all. I'm still getting used to the heightened senses. I'm not getting as overwhelmed as I expected.
[ After a moment, he concedes: ] Malcolm's present from Chiron II might be the main reason for that.
I love you. I didn’t say it last night.
I know it, whether you say it or not. I love you, too.
Did you manage to sleep at all?
Did you manage to sleep at all?
Re: Wee morning hours, the day after the murder; text
empathicfault
- 2023-10-10 02:41 (UTC) - ExpandRe: Wee morning hours, the day after the murder; text
empathicfault
- 2023-10-10 02:49 (UTC) - ExpandRe: Wee morning hours, the day after the murder; text
empathicfault
- 2023-10-10 03:11 (UTC) - ExpandRe: Wee morning hours, the day after the murder; text
empathicfault
- 2023-10-10 17:42 (UTC) - Expand[Shaw seems a small bit better today, particularly when the afternoon comes: she's still more distant from herself than usual, but she seems less weighed down. And when she looks up at Will as she tries (mostly unsuccessfully) to shoo a determined puppy away from playing with her boot laces, she actually looks him fully in the eye.]
So. Feeling like you can't defend yourself, and feeling like nobody's in your corner.
So. Feeling like you can't defend yourself, and feeling like nobody's in your corner.
Edited 2023-10-15 21:08 (UTC)
[ Will glad to see the slight difference in Shaw today. The eye contact, the feeling of presence. He's not sure what changed. Maybe just having a real night with Root helped.
Will seems to be doing better too- although with him, it's more physically present. He has more color in his face. And him cradling a tired-out puppy in his arms doesn't hurt. ]
Ah. Right. That's sort of been an...on-going thing in my life. As you know. It seemed to be different here, but I have a much smaller amount of faith in other wardens than I do in you. And they have authority on their own inmates.
Will seems to be doing better too- although with him, it's more physically present. He has more color in his face. And him cradling a tired-out puppy in his arms doesn't hurt. ]
Ah. Right. That's sort of been an...on-going thing in my life. As you know. It seemed to be different here, but I have a much smaller amount of faith in other wardens than I do in you. And they have authority on their own inmates.
Francis came to see me after you left. Shaw sent him. I’ve been putting the puzzle together. She sent several people to talk to me yesterday and Francis today and told them all the same wrong information about me. I don’t know how many others she told that haven’t spoken to me. I texted her and told her to call them off. I didn’t bother you or her yesterday. I had my mental breakdown quietly in my cabin except for the interference she sent. She texted me back to say she did it to calm me down. It’s not her fucking job to calm me down. Or to sandbag me as emotionally unstable to the point of unreliability to every Warden I work with. And I told her so not nicely, if it comes up.
I hope you can still come by tonight. I just couldn’t abide that. It might be impossible for me to work in counselling or on the committee doing the code of conduct if that sticks. It seems to be sticking. So much for having any respect. I guess I should have expected that to happen eventually. I AM a mess.
I’m sorry.
I love you.
I hope you can still come by tonight. I just couldn’t abide that. It might be impossible for me to work in counselling or on the committee doing the code of conduct if that sticks. It seems to be sticking. So much for having any respect. I guess I should have expected that to happen eventually. I AM a mess.
I’m sorry.
I love you.
I'll be there tonight. No reason not to be.
I don't think it'll stick, but let's talk about it tonight, okay? Unless it's really pressing. Because I agree, but I want details.
I can bring by some dinner tonight, if you want. We can have an early night in. And let me know if you want to go running before that.
I love you, too.
I don't think it'll stick, but let's talk about it tonight, okay? Unless it's really pressing. Because I agree, but I want details.
I can bring by some dinner tonight, if you want. We can have an early night in. And let me know if you want to go running before that.
I love you, too.
What's starting?
I'm hallucinating too, if you think it's some sort of sim thing. It's the Barge, I think.
[ He hopes. ]
I'm hallucinating too, if you think it's some sort of sim thing. It's the Barge, I think.
[ He hopes. ]
Pretty sure the ship did that on its own, Shaw. No apologies necessary.
How're you holding up?
How're you holding up?
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