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[empathicfault]

"Will Graham here. Leave a message."

[Open for text/audio/action/whatever.]

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[empathicfault]

Much.

[ He agrees, smiling as he lets Bear sniff at him, then reaches back to pet his head with a quiet 'hi, buddy.' ]

I can understand the hesitation. If Eddie hadn't brought in Winston when I really needed him, I don't know if I would've started this...dog crusade.

[ His eyes finally turn from Bear up to look at Shaw. ]

So how's it been so far? Okay? Still weird?

[cactusy]

[Shaw sighs, and lowers herself to the floor too, crouching behind Bear and stroking a hand over his back. She wishes she could give a nice, easy answer, but--]

Yeah. Root being here is, too. Both of them make this place feel less real.

[She closes her eyes, exhaling.]

But it's a trade-off that's worth it. Having them is worth it.

[empathicfault]

Worth it.

[ He's rubbing Bear's neck now, a more friendly greeting now that he's been deemed all right. ]

Yeah. That's not an easy decision, but- I can see how it'd be worth it.

And of course, from where I'm at, with my different perspective...I'm glad you've got them here.

[cactusy]

You know, it helps to hear that?

[Bear sighs heavily, snuffling Will's cheek.]

So, uh-- thanks. I guess it'll get easier as time goes on.

[empathicfault]

I think it will. And I'm glad it helps.

[ This dog is the best-- and that's equally true, no matter what dog he's petting. ]

Do you think Root's gonna be here a while? Me and her were wondering who was going to hit the finish line first.

[cactusy]

[Shaw lifts a shoulder in a shrug.]

You're both smart. Pretty stubborn. You both have motivation to graduate, and motivation to not want to change.

[empathicfault]

[ Will nods. ]

Guess it'll be a close race, then. We'll just have to see which one of us gets our head out of our ass first, huh?

[cactusy]

So far, you're winning. She caused an explosion in a common room; she's already giving me headaches.

[empathicfault]

Damn, she works fast. Yeah, I haven't blown up anything lately...

[ He sounds amused, though, rather than worried. It wasn't something he heard about ship-wide, so it had to work out at least relatively okay. ]

I do have something to ask you about. Might as well get into it while I'm here. Did you know Lark at all? Warden until he got pulled away, recently?

[cactusy]

A little bit. We patrolled together. Why?

[empathicfault]

[ Will finally stops giving his most visible attention to Bear in order to look fully at Shaw. ]

He...let me attend Malcolm's first werewolf transformation. Apparently, he'd never done that before. But he thought I could handle it without interfering and making it worse. And- he was considering inviting me to his pack.

Well, I just heard from Harkin that I have an official invite now.

[cactusy]

[Shaw frowns, though it's one of confusion and surprise.]

Lark Tennant wants to turn you into a werewolf? Do you want to join a werewolf pack?

[empathicfault]

I do. I've thought about it...I think I've wanted to do it for a while.

[ He rubs his chin, looking down at the floor thoughtfully. ]

I was more concerned with the sort of person Lark was, the sort of people he chose. I was more concerned on Malcolm's behalf. I wanted to know what he was getting into. But the more I learned, the more it became something I could see myself doing.

[cactusy]

Tell me why, specifically? And have your concerns about Lark's judgement been cleared up, or--?

[empathicfault]

[ Will nods. ]

I believe he generally picks people who don't...fit, anywhere. He gives them a place to do so. I'd been concerned that there was a religious or semi-religious element to the pack mentality, and that's not the case. The turning 'ritual' was very practical.

As for why... [ He looks up and licks his lips. ] I'm sure you know already that there's a part of me that- if it wasn't wild before- it certainly is now. But when I start to...lose humanity, it's more of a- I see myself controlling the pack, letting it all ramp up without cause or care. If I was part of an actual pack, I'd have them to consider, to support and to hold me back. And I could 'go a little wild' without hurting anybody.

I'll say the idea of fitting someplace is appealing to me, too. Even if it's more like family than true friends.

[cactusy]

[Shaw nods in acknowledgement at the end of his explanation, though her expression is as muted as always.]

And here that's Wildthyme, Bright-- anyone else?

[empathicfault]

That's it, for now. I'm assuming there might be some sort of blood-related connection to the rest of Lark's pack in LA, which has some former inmates and wardens. But I'm also more concerned with the Barge group.

I'm not sure how it'd work with my status as an inmate, either. If I'd be able to shift or- apparently there's an increase in the senses, as well. But Iris would probably know.

[cactusy]

I think you should ask her first before you do anything. Go into it knowing exactly what to expect.

[A pause.]

You looking for my opinion?

[empathicfault]

[ Will nods. ] I'll talk to her. Wanted to talk to you and Malcolm first.

I figured I should notify you, no matter what. But I do want your opinion.

[cactusy]

[Shaw pauses to pull her thoughts together, leaning back on her elbows. Bear sighs heavily, dropping his head into her lap, and she immediately changes tack and sits up again so that she can rub his ears.]

It weirds me out. It makes me nervous. Humans I'm familiar with and can deal with, but werewolves? No way, totally insane.

But it sounds like it could be really good for you, and you're interested in it for the right reasons.

[empathicfault]

[ Will looks away for a bit as Shaw thinks things over. He is a little nervous as to how Shaw was going to take this. It might not be entirely out of left field, but it's still not exactly the conversation people expect to have in a normal day.

That she's positive at all has him breathing a sigh of relief. Even if he sounds a little confused. ]

You think those are the right reasons? I wasn't sure...uh, whether leaning into the 'wild' tendencies would be a bad sign or not. If I should be trying to curb that instinct.

[cactusy]

Or learn how to use it in a healthy way instead of trying to ignore it.

[She counters, raising an eyebrow.]

Mostly I'm thinking of the pack thing, not the wolf thing. You've never had the chance to be a part of something like that.

[empathicfault]

[ Oh, good. Will hadn't been looking forward to maybe trying to curb his tendency towards violence, but he'd been worried that was a key to graduating. If Shaw doesn't think so, that's good enough for him. He doesn't know what a 'healthy way' would actually be, but he can rationalize the change fairly easily.

He smiles a little when she focuses on the pack. ]

No, I really haven't. And I know you've extended an invite from your team. But these people feel right and it might give me some help here. Trusting people...it's been easier here, but-

[ He shrugs. It's still very difficult, when it's not the couple of people he's clung onto. ]

[cactusy]

Yeah.

[Her thoughts exactly - and exactly why her first question had been to ask who else was involved.]

So how well do you know Wildthyme already?

[empathicfault]

Well enough to know I've barely touched the surface of her long lived experience.

[ That's said with a wry smile, that turns warmer as he looks down at his hands. ]

I wish my mind worked like her telepathy does. With everything being a back-and-forth, a sharing rather than an involuntary taking of knowledge. I've spent a few afternoons chatting without speech with her, or tugging her along the museum in my mind. Even the heavier, darker parts of her are a delight.