empathicfault | IC Inbox

Oh, Malcolm. Of course. [ He sounds fond. ]

Yes, I'm currently doing my best to not be an idiot about this. It's pretty damn difficult with these bugs around, you know?

But so far, so good. The vampire who could probably break me in half is being protected by his warden and I just get to sit here and watch Malcolm struggle to sit up.

[ Yep, really good.... ]

Unfortunately, we let everyone do free for all murders, my gun would be gettin' a lot more work and we're lookin' to bring that kinda shit down here.

Focus on helpin' Malcolm get back to 100%. The Wardens are on it, somethin'll get worked out. I hope, anyway. Been a while since this much smoke went up about one person.

I am focusing on Malcolm, because apparently that keeps me from walking out and finding some weapons. I'm less confident that something will get worked out...haven't exactly had great experiences with groups of people in positions of power. Hopefully, you'll understand.

But distracting myself? That I can do. And Malcolm needs support.

I do.

But good, let's keep it that way. Let me know if you need anythin' in the meantime.

Will do. Let me know if you need any more summaries of what's going on.

Or want updates on Malcolm. It's looking like he'll heal this up pretty quickly, thankfully. The cut was deep but not wide.

Both, if you're willin'. Whatever insight I can get into the situation here. [Otherwise he would learn about it on the other side, but he'd rather hear it straight from one of the sources, in the moment.]

You happen to know what Malcolm asked Lestat? About Neal?

I don't, actually. I plan on asking when Malcolm's in a better state. I'm assuming it was something innocuous but taken the wrong way- as everyone seems to do with the way Malcolm says things. Sometimes I understand why, and sometimes it's a mystery to me.

Anyway, Neal's been having a rough time lately, so I wouldn't be surprised if Malcolm asked Lestat how he's doing.

I've suffered it myself, The Way he says Things. [Especially on the Clipper but plenty on the Barge. That didn't stop him being protective and loving Malcolm anyway. His position had evolved.]

That mean that Neal's been hangin' out with Lestat? [The surprise was clear in the question.]

I think they're friends? I don't know. I try not to get too involved with Neal, considering how touchy things've been between us.

I hope you haven't suffered too much, with the way Malcolm says things. Did being his brother for the last Breach make it more or less tough?

Less tough. He was my warden when the Barge got taken over and separated out, even though he doesn't remember it. I didn't take to being an inmate well. Started a Riot and held him hostage. Being his brother definitely helped things along.

Touchy because you're with Malcolm now? Touchy because he's not?

Right, you mentioned that at that Meet and Greet thing. That ship you were taken to, where I almost certainly would've joined you in your riot. Or I would've been drugged within an inch of my life. I'm...glad he doesn't remember that, if I'm honest.

Ah, yeah. I didn't know Neal was interested. Malcolm didn't know, but he's...unkind with himself, most of the time. I had to lay it out for him pretty plainly.

I figured that would be the case. I'm glad anyone who could miss it did.

He is. I knew when Neal kissed him that that was the case, but- [he was a little more Worldly than Malcolm in that way.] I'll check in with Neal, see how he's doing. Malcolm.. mentioned Neal and Norton feelin' some kind of way. I told him it didn't matter; they'll sort themselves out.

[And he's repeating it for Will's benefit - Raylan supported attempts at happiness, for all the struggle that came with them here.]

They will. They already have, mostly. Neal's issue has more to do with him gaining time back home, I suspect. We talked things out, a little.

And- I don't know if either of them would've wanted to take things at the speed Malcolm and I are comfortable with. I fully intend to stick with him here and follow him home...help him through whatever he needs there, too.

I hope that's the case...

.. I don't mean to give you the shovel talk here Will, but I do happen to have a very specific set of skills and it's not a jump to wonder if Malcolm's world is the same as my own. Or yours but that's beside the point. With the Admiral around, ya know... Where there's a will, there's a way.

He told me a bit about y'alls plans when he came to check up on me. I think it's a good one, generally.

You don't have to worry...although I'm glad Malcolm's got people who will. I just want him to be happy. [ Will chuckles, remembering his last conversation like this. ] Neal gave me the Talk, too. Promised to make me miserable if I hurt him, which is fair.

Malcolm talked about future plans with you, though? The traveling idea? [ Will's eyes light up. ] I didn't expect him to be that excited.

He's behind me in line. But that's good, that sentiment. [Anything other than Happy and Shotgun conversations would happen. Scarier than shovel talks, in Raylan's opinion.]

He seemed to have a worry that if you guys visited before you graduated that you might not ever want to come back to finish the job. I think any fraction of a happy, quasi-normal life is exciting for him. Which is a good thing. Guy deserves a little of that for himself. You do too, even if I'm not familiar with your story.

[ Ah, so Malcolm hasn't told Raylan- probably very few people, then- about the real reason he's here. What he's avoiding back home, even if it's temporary. Well, Will certainly isn't going to out him right now. ]

I don't think we'll ever hit 'normal,' but quasi-normal honestly sounds perfect. Maybe I'll even manage to teach him how to fish, one of these days.

And- you ever want my story, I'll tell you. Over whisky, though, because we'd both need at least one drink to get through that. Roman kept refilling my glass when I went into more detail.

He might take some pleasure in guttin' 'em. Not a bad idea.

And I would like to hear it. Your story. Once shit's settled down though, once everyone's recovered. Couple of different places to do it too, dependin' on what you're feelin'. I'm partial to porches in fields myself, but that's bias.

Porches in fields...that's my favorite place to chat. And drink. Just add some dogs, and it might as well be heaven.

Just let me know when you'd like to talk. I haven't been here long enough to know what's 'settled down'- other than people I know being out of the infirmary, I suppose.

It is the prime spot for lazy dog days.

I can reach out in a couple days? Maybe four or five, give Malcolm time to recoup, let you leave without worry.

Sure, I appreciate that. Just let me know. And no rush- I'm aware there's constantly a new crisis around here.

Yeah if somethin' comes up, let me know. I'm tryin' to stay out of them, myself. Anyway, soon enough.

Thanks.

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