Would you have time for me to borrow you later on, doctor?
the sixth day after the Charter Tours port, while parked for Death River stragglers
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abrightboy
2024-02-06 06:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Talk Shaw into coming back to the ship. She might listen to you.
[Hello, Lester, how are you today? Nice weather we're having. How about that sportsball last night? They're not smalltalk people, right?]
[Hello, Lester, how are you today? Nice weather we're having. How about that sportsball last night? They're not smalltalk people, right?]
Arthur is more than ready to help Sheehan and Una get her back to her room, get her comfortable and resting - mostly staying back, admittedly, letting Sheehan help his partner in whatever way he needs.
When Sheehan does leave Una's room, Arthur stands from his seat on the couch almost immediately, intent on moving towards Sheehan and gently taking his arm. "Hey."
When Sheehan does leave Una's room, Arthur stands from his seat on the couch almost immediately, intent on moving towards Sheehan and gently taking his arm. "Hey."
He wants to stay, but she needs her rest. He wants to stay, but he needs to be with Arthur for himself.
So when Arthur stands up, Sheehan goes directly to wrap himself around him.
"Seeing her so weak - " he starts, but it catches in his throat.
So when Arthur stands up, Sheehan goes directly to wrap himself around him.
"Seeing her so weak - " he starts, but it catches in his throat.
Interesting series of coincidences here. You announce Arthur’s disappearance way too early in the morning. Arthur comes back. You quit counselling. Arthur is an inmate now. Seems like it tells a story.
Please tell me you didn’t quit counselling over the dumb arbitrary rule you brought here from a different place that works completely differently.
Please tell me you didn’t quit counselling over the dumb arbitrary rule you brought here from a different place that works completely differently.
You have time fer a question?
Would you mind if we had our session a little earlier this week?
[ Things are kind of…not great right now. ]
[ Things are kind of…not great right now. ]
[Arthur would have been perfectly happy to call him and check in over the phone, but after everything he thinks he could use the physicality of seeing Sheehan first.
So he'll come by the art gazebo, raising a hand in greeting when he makes eye contact with his partner.]
So he'll come by the art gazebo, raising a hand in greeting when he makes eye contact with his partner.]
[He's fortunately alone at the moment, and so he lets himself actually feel genuinely relieved to see him.]
Detective! Well this is a surprise.
I didn't think you be by so early.
[He's used to giving him the obligatory two day buffer after trauma with John.]
Detective! Well this is a surprise.
I didn't think you be by so early.
[He's used to giving him the obligatory two day buffer after trauma with John.]
Hey Lester,
I don't have the details, but I saw Arthur throw down with someone on deck. I think it was Lark? John's with him; I think they're heading back to their rooms, if I had to guess, but just so you know: if you need a few days to handle anything, I can cover the gazebo, all right? Don't worry about it. Take care of your people, okay?
I don't have the details, but I saw Arthur throw down with someone on deck. I think it was Lark? John's with him; I think they're heading back to their rooms, if I had to guess, but just so you know: if you need a few days to handle anything, I can cover the gazebo, all right? Don't worry about it. Take care of your people, okay?
Edited 2024-04-30 12:30 (UTC)
[No preamble and lots of bad mood.]
I don't know if maybe John already told you but that guy Lark did something to piss Arthur off so much he turned into a tiger and tried to eat his face.
I haven't talked to him or John yet, I'm trying to give them a little bit. I know Arthur doesn't like being upset in front of me and he's possibly kicking himself for fighting with Lark somewhere I could have got pulled in, like a... dumb jerk.
I don't know if maybe John already told you but that guy Lark did something to piss Arthur off so much he turned into a tiger and tried to eat his face.
I haven't talked to him or John yet, I'm trying to give them a little bit. I know Arthur doesn't like being upset in front of me and he's possibly kicking himself for fighting with Lark somewhere I could have got pulled in, like a... dumb jerk.
There is a cat who seems to have found his way into Sheehan's cabin, specifically a fluffy yellow cat who's padding around looking for the man himself.
Sheehan walks out of the kitchen, drink in hand, and blinks to see the cat just - existing. It takes a moment for his brain to catch up and he laughs in relief, sitting on the couch, his glass to the side.
"Come on over," he says, reaching out a hand to him.
"Come on over," he says, reaching out a hand to him.
[ A deep breath in. ]
I figure you saw the announcement this morning?
I figure you saw the announcement this morning?
Well. That's a whole fucking situation.
He manages to get through helping Charlie in the wardrobe, throwing his old clothes in a machine to see if they aren't salvageable after the blood.
He's going to talk about it with John, of course. But he needs to get it out of his own head a little first. So he's going to go straight to Sheehan's room, just because it's closer, and knock to check.
He manages to get through helping Charlie in the wardrobe, throwing his old clothes in a machine to see if they aren't salvageable after the blood.
He's going to talk about it with John, of course. But he needs to get it out of his own head a little first. So he's going to go straight to Sheehan's room, just because it's closer, and knock to check.
The Butcher didn't go to the gazebo often. It was one of those places that required a warden's permission to enter and as a completely self-reliant man Collins hated asking for things. Boredom and a bit of luck were on his side today and he slipped inside the art gazebo when someone else did without any hassle.
He took a look around at the various items on display. Things had changed a bit since his last visit to retrieve some piano wire. Mostly there were new supplies and hobbies on offer, not to mention different wardens running the place. He didn't care so much about that.
Collins glanced at the musical instruments, his fingers twitching as he stared at a few. He was drawn to them, of course, with his love of music being a large part of his life--but he had never considered himself the musical type, regulated only to parroting what he heard and singing along to the orchestra playing beautiful songs in his head. That had always been fine to him. A lack of what he considered a real job and too much idleness led him to seek out new entertainment recently. He tried writing since he loved reading so much but found it frustrating. He would hate to dampen the music in his head in a similar manner.
He turned from the musical instruments and nearly bumped into Sheehan. There was a sharp intake of air as he pulled himself up short and then he froze in place, a dull, calm expression overtaking his face as he gazed at the warden. He didn't belong here. He felt it acutely as he stared at the other man.
"Evenin', Doctor." He spoke coolly and he was proud of that lack of emotion giving nothing away. "I forgot this was yer new place of residence." The peaceful smile he gave didn't reach his eyes. "Well, since yer in charge o' this place, maybe you can help me find somethin'. If you've tha time."
He took a look around at the various items on display. Things had changed a bit since his last visit to retrieve some piano wire. Mostly there were new supplies and hobbies on offer, not to mention different wardens running the place. He didn't care so much about that.
Collins glanced at the musical instruments, his fingers twitching as he stared at a few. He was drawn to them, of course, with his love of music being a large part of his life--but he had never considered himself the musical type, regulated only to parroting what he heard and singing along to the orchestra playing beautiful songs in his head. That had always been fine to him. A lack of what he considered a real job and too much idleness led him to seek out new entertainment recently. He tried writing since he loved reading so much but found it frustrating. He would hate to dampen the music in his head in a similar manner.
He turned from the musical instruments and nearly bumped into Sheehan. There was a sharp intake of air as he pulled himself up short and then he froze in place, a dull, calm expression overtaking his face as he gazed at the warden. He didn't belong here. He felt it acutely as he stared at the other man.
"Evenin', Doctor." He spoke coolly and he was proud of that lack of emotion giving nothing away. "I forgot this was yer new place of residence." The peaceful smile he gave didn't reach his eyes. "Well, since yer in charge o' this place, maybe you can help me find somethin'. If you've tha time."
Sheehan can't help the rush of fear that leaves him shaky in its place and he steps back, hand in his pocket to prevent it from trembling. He doesn't trust that smile and he doesn't trust that voice. He was perfectly clear the last time they spoke, but that was a while ago. Sheehan's cooled since then, though apparently the fear hasn't.
"Of course, Mr. Collins. What can I help you find?" He's proud of the way his voice doesn't waver.
"Of course, Mr. Collins. What can I help you find?" He's proud of the way his voice doesn't waver.
Hey doctor. Can we, er. Talk, for a minute? [And then aware of how immediately bad that sounds--] I-it's not bad, or- at least it's temporary, s-so, er...
Christ I'm already fucking this up- it's probably easier to just- show you.
Christ I'm already fucking this up- it's probably easier to just- show you.
[This came sometime after the Flood, after Collins has considered how he feels, what he misses, and what he wants. The text format made it easier for him to avoid showing how awkward he felt.]
Doctor. I want off this ship. I miss the cities, talking to real people, traveling, having a good meal and a drink at a pub. No more of this shit here.
I tell me what to do.
Doctor. I want off this ship. I miss the cities, talking to real people, traveling, having a good meal and a drink at a pub. No more of this shit here.
I tell me what to do.
[It's the 'Doctor' that does it. Collins may have overstepped and gotten angry before, but he's starting to accept and follow boundaries, and that's a good enough in for Sheehan to respond. He respects the medium, using text himself.]
None of the things you mentioned involve harming people.
Are those your priorities?
None of the things you mentioned involve harming people.
Are those your priorities?
It always feels good, in a pure and simple way that he's starting to finally let himself be comfortable with having again. Dinner with Sheehan, a glass of wine and a glancing kiss every time they passed each other in cooking and setting up for dinner. Easy, comfortable affection with one of his favourite people.
He drops another kiss on Sheehan as he puts their wine glasses down at the lounge table, before he sits next to him.
He drops another kiss on Sheehan as he puts their wine glasses down at the lounge table, before he sits next to him.
Sheehan places an arm around him, finishing his story about his time in New York, something silly and quick, getting lost in the city and ending up finding someone he was certain was a vampire. Or perhaps someone who just loved the nightlife far too much.
"Mm," he smiles, bringing him close for a kiss. "I think I'm calling in your tab."
"Mm," he smiles, bringing him close for a kiss. "I think I'm calling in your tab."
Before breach, you asked me to write down list of what I remember related to possible lapses in memory. I have list. When should I meet to show it to you?
[ Hilbert wants to get a good grade in therapy, something totally normal to achieve. Besides, if he gets an A+ in therapy, maybe this'll help break that stupid Seed conditioning! ]
[ Hilbert wants to get a good grade in therapy, something totally normal to achieve. Besides, if he gets an A+ in therapy, maybe this'll help break that stupid Seed conditioning! ]
There is a cat in Sheehan's cabin. He might not know this until he sits down on a couch to relax and said cat will pop out from under the couch to come settle against his hip or possibly, if welcome, right in his lap.
Hello, Doctor Sheehan. Can I ask you for some advice, when you have a free moment?
That past week was...a lot, wasn't it?
[ Nana's slipped back to her normal happy, bright, chirpy self, though she does allow herself a little hint of tiredness in her voice. ]
Still, I think it's over now! So I've gotta ask, do you want your sword back?
[ Nana's slipped back to her normal happy, bright, chirpy self, though she does allow herself a little hint of tiredness in her voice. ]
Still, I think it's over now! So I've gotta ask, do you want your sword back?
Care to come and meet me at the Enclosure tonight, doctor?
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