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
IC Inbox
[Open for text/audio/action/whatever.]
[Open for text/audio/action/whatever.]
I did.
[ He says it with a whoosh of breath outward that's not quite a sigh. ]
And I think it might be good for Malcolm to learn how to let something go, himself. Realize when a relationship is more effort than it's worth. So it'll probably be better for both of you.
Guess it's more- I wish you'd have let me actually help when things were happening, rather than sifting through the ashes of both your escalations.
[ He says it with a whoosh of breath outward that's not quite a sigh. ]
And I think it might be good for Malcolm to learn how to let something go, himself. Realize when a relationship is more effort than it's worth. So it'll probably be better for both of you.
Guess it's more- I wish you'd have let me actually help when things were happening, rather than sifting through the ashes of both your escalations.
[ Dryly: ] I never said the problem wasn't communicating. The problem might be a way you both communicate that's extremely difficult to fix.
There were several points in the conversation I listened to that included an intuitive leap from one of you, something that wasn't true of the other. Maybe these had been addressed in previous conversations, but I doubt they all were. If I had the opportunity to step in and ask for clarification, I bet the whole thing wouldn't have turned into...that mess.
There were several points in the conversation I listened to that included an intuitive leap from one of you, something that wasn't true of the other. Maybe these had been addressed in previous conversations, but I doubt they all were. If I had the opportunity to step in and ask for clarification, I bet the whole thing wouldn't have turned into...that mess.
I don't think you're noticing the adjustments he's already making to try and accommodate you. The amount he's trying not to deduce and assume things. He is making an effort.
And he didn't see your adjustments...although you did a good job pointing them out. That might've helped.
And he didn't see your adjustments...although you did a good job pointing them out. That might've helped.
[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?
[ He gives her the barest of smiles, but it's more than he's had for a bit. ]
Okay. I'll let him know, see if he's still interested. But neither of you has to force it. Just...call me if it comes up again?
Okay. I'll let him know, see if he's still interested. But neither of you has to force it. Just...call me if it comes up again?
Maybe if we'd tried this when it was first suggested. Now? Malcolm's not had the best luck with 'arranged meetings.'
Besides, on this boat? We all run into each other some time or another. Trust me, it'll probably happen eventually. But I'll float the idea his way and see what he thinks.
Besides, on this boat? We all run into each other some time or another. Trust me, it'll probably happen eventually. But I'll float the idea his way and see what he thinks.
I did. I assume things went private after what I saw.
Did he get nasty again? [ No, Eiffel wouldn't take anything private. ] Or-- Neal intervened.
Did he get nasty again? [ No, Eiffel wouldn't take anything private. ] Or-- Neal intervened.
Edited 2023-09-14 23:52 (UTC)
Neal intervened. He didn't want me to look like the bully when most people don't know why I would say rude things to the loveliest sassmaster on the Barge.
When I heard his voice asking for sympathy for his pain this morning, I wanted to put a kitchen knife through my phone. Does that make me a bad person? That I hope he's suffering, quaking under his bed, over the blue star right now?
When I heard his voice asking for sympathy for his pain this morning, I wanted to put a kitchen knife through my phone. Does that make me a bad person? That I hope he's suffering, quaking under his bed, over the blue star right now?
[ Will shakes his head. ]
Might be. But as long as you're bringing me in on it, you're trying something different.
[ He feels better, having that settled. He lets his shoulders slump a little. ]
That was everything about Malcolm, right? We can sit around and pet some dogs now?
[ Like they haven't been doing that this whole time. ]
Might be. But as long as you're bringing me in on it, you're trying something different.
[ He feels better, having that settled. He lets his shoulders slump a little. ]
That was everything about Malcolm, right? We can sit around and pet some dogs now?
[ Like they haven't been doing that this whole time. ]
I mean, I can't say I'd be upset if he were to have a week of being terrified and lonely.
But I'm also an inmate, so...
[ He shrugs, packing up a bag, before looking at the camera with seriousness. ]
I don't think you're a bad person, Malcolm. I think you're a good person who's been kicked around a few times too many. And you're having a hard time reconciling things.
But I'm also an inmate, so...
[ He shrugs, packing up a bag, before looking at the camera with seriousness. ]
I don't think you're a bad person, Malcolm. I think you're a good person who's been kicked around a few times too many. And you're having a hard time reconciling things.
[ Oh, thank goodness. They're both exhausted now. Will is quiet for a few minutes, making sure Buster gets some extra attention. But eventually he'll raise his voice again. ]
Did you know Iris can speak to dogs?
[ If Shaw is zoning out, he won't bother her further. But this popped up in his mind. ]
Did you know Iris can speak to dogs?
[ If Shaw is zoning out, he won't bother her further. But this popped up in his mind. ]
I’m still salvageable if I didn’t want to put the knife through his stupid face, right?
I think you'd still be salvageable even if you did. Look at me- apparently the Admiral still thinks I'm salvageable, so you're just fine.
No worries, okay? [ Small, encouraging smile. ] I love you. We'll go run, you can get all your restless revenge-energy out in a real forest.
No worries, okay? [ Small, encouraging smile. ] I love you. We'll go run, you can get all your restless revenge-energy out in a real forest.
[“I love you”, he says, and the twist of pain and anger seems to melt off Malcolm’s face some.]
I’ll meet you to disembark?
I’ll meet you to disembark?
See you soon.
[ He doesn't take long, having packed an extra couple of (his own) shirts, just in case Malcolm wants a bit of an emotional security blanket. He's also got the money he was given, just in case they decide to do anything after the forest. He pats his dogs and tells them to 'be good,' even if neither of them need the instruction any longer.
And he's up on the deck shortly, looking out on the docking ring sweeping over them. It's certainly a different view. ]
[ He doesn't take long, having packed an extra couple of (his own) shirts, just in case Malcolm wants a bit of an emotional security blanket. He's also got the money he was given, just in case they decide to do anything after the forest. He pats his dogs and tells them to 'be good,' even if neither of them need the instruction any longer.
And he's up on the deck shortly, looking out on the docking ring sweeping over them. It's certainly a different view. ]
[Malcolm is waiting for him, already a wolf, holding a note in his mouth. It says ‘Can you get my money out of my pants on the floor of my office?’ He also wants to have it in case he has time to do some shopping before coming back here. But wolves don’t have pockets.]
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