TLV Inbox

[greatoldjohn]

[in a rather deep voice] "This is John Doe. Please leave your message. I'll get back to you as soon as I can. I may respond in text if I'm currently with Arthur. Apologies."

Now Moved To: Inbox: Act II - please tag in there!

Comments

[greatoldjohn]

I'll make sure that it's secured.

[ He has his own ideas of where to put it. Someplace he doubts anyone else would ever look. ]

[pitofguilt]

[ She nods, more relieved than she thought she'd be to hear that. ]

Can't really think of anything else to talk about. The file didn't leave anything out.

[greatoldjohn]

And now that we've gone through it, do you have any other concerns or other questions for me?

[ A pause as if considering ]

Or anything else you might need.

[ He presses his lips together. ]

May I ask if... she's all right?

[pitofguilt]

[ She shakes her head. She knows she wants a large amount of alcohol, but she doesn't need it, so she won't ask. ]

She's hurt, even though she says she isn't. She thinks you and Arthur are always assuming the worst of her. I know she's-- a lot. I know she crosses lines and thinks she's justified most of the time. Just--

[ She sighs. ]

I don't know. I can't tell you what to do. I don't know what I'd do. She holds grudges. I don't wanna be in the middle of things between you two and her, if that's even possible.

[greatoldjohn]

[ He makes a small noise of frustration. ]

I don't assume the worst of her. I like her. I've tried to help her with Arthur, and she ignored everything I said, and the only reason I assumed what I did the one time was because she lied to me about being hurt! And I apologized!

[ Grumbly, growly- ]

I'm not even the one who called things off! I went to check on her after her fight with Arthur because I was concerned about her even though she left broken ceramic in our kitchen!

[pitofguilt]

Yeah. That's... [ A long, deep sigh. ] She ignores everybody. Except Pagan.

[ Oh, there's an idea. ]

Maybe you and Arthur and Misty need to talk, with Pagan as a mediator. Lay out all the facts, make sure everyone's heard, come to a workable solution.

[ Damn, listen to her. She may have wiped her ass with a lot of the bullshit from rehab, but she did listen! ]

[greatoldjohn]

[ He takes another moment or two to grumble but after he gets that out, it's a huff and- ]

It's not a bad idea. I'd rather not spend every other discussion worrying about how Misty's going to take it.

[ He looks over at Natalie. ]

Any more than I suspect you do. It would probably help if I'm with Arthur at the time; I'd guess half the reason he was defensive was because he's blind without me and down one arm.

[ Vulnerable. Which isn't good on anyone, but especially not Arthur. ]

Would you want to be there?

[pitofguilt]

[ FUCK no. ]

No, but if Pagan thinks it'd help, I can be.

[ Dear god please let Pagan say it's better if she's not there because something something Misty.

John is right, of course. Having to be cautious in conversation with anyone is exhausting. ]

[greatoldjohn]

[ Yeah, sorry, you're getting a low, slightly evil sounding chuckle. Can't help it, former Great Old One. It happens. ]

I'll try and spare you if I can.

[pitofguilt]

[ Actually, that's funny and fitting. Natalie smiles, chuckling silently. ]

Sounds good.

[ A pause, in which she hesitates, and then-- ]

Thanks.

[greatoldjohn]

Of course.

[ That's...

They're in this together. He said it and he meant it. But, he can't help but glance over at the file. He wonders if- ]

...none of this makes me want to give up on you.

[ Wry, and a little tired. ]

I'm sure I'll have to prove that. But I'd rather it isn't unsaid.

[pitofguilt]

[ They've known each other less than a month, and he's been her warden for two days, and he's already told her that more times than anyone else ever has. She doesn't know yet how to put in words how that makes her feel, and of course all she wants to do is run away until it passes, but she stays put, nodding, not looking at him. ]

Cool. Thanks for that too.

[ Was her voice a little tight? God she hopes not. ]

I should go. Enjoy my new room some more.

[greatoldjohn]

[ Holy fucking shit, he feels that. ]

I'll see you soon.

[ He's hiding the file and then he's going into his room until Arthur comes home and zooming for his hand. ]

[pitofguilt]

[ And she heads off with a nod, more than ready to just sit alone in her room for a while. ]

[greatoldjohn]

[ He'll let her go... and changes his mind, heading for the wardrobe. Fuck it, he's not waiting. ]