stormandwind | INBOX: lastvoyages

[To Jon:] Don't be sorry on my behalf. I more than earned a few people wanting to avoid me.

[It's not like he's popular with humans at home either, even the ones he's never spoken to. It's a life and it doesn't bother him.

So to Tris:] I think that's great. I think I can understand why they didn't ask me directly, but I'm glad they decided this and brought it up with you.

[Reward Nico's progress!]

Uh...with one person who probably asked for this, though, I will be meeting with them here in the library every few weeks. So if you're here and observe that, I'm not breaking any rules.

It isn't always about you, Jon. [But she's smiling as she says it.] Though I'll admit, the reason I backed Lark's original request for unpredictable rotating schedules was primarily to protect you. That storm seems to have settled.

Still. Lark has maimed and murdered people. No one I've physically attacked is on board anymore, but there are several people I've lost my temper and screamed at. It's a closed environment full of strong personalities. There are always grudges or traumas.

[But her eyes widen at Lark's response. The part where he says he and Nico will be meeting regularly.]

Really? I would have laid the odds on that as low as the odds on your coming back. I won't step in. [She can assume it's because he gave Nico a problem to chew on. That's the easiest way to approach him. He's so much more comfortable with math and science than with people.]

In the interest of full honesty, they didn't come to me. Someone had been... a more visible presence in the library since you left. It seemed only fair to ask if they wanted anything from us. Especially now that you're a warden. [She would have prioritized Lark's emotional well-being over Nico's, within limits of course, when he was an inmate.]

It surprised me, too.

[Part of Lark will always bristle at the thought of being hemmed in, but it's easily contained. The fact that Tris had still protected Lark's rights--albeit with some boundaries laid down--is why he came to trust her.]

Did you have to persuade them to try this, or were they quick to take to it?

Edited 2019-12-12 02:52 (UTC)

[ He's a little humbled by the reminder; he's not sure if he knew that, that they originally did the schedule to protect him but it's still something he's not used to. He feels suddenly, fiercely fond of the both of them.

He doesn't say anything about it. But there's not much he wouldn't do for them. ]

...is this a situation I should be aware of? Only... I don't mean to pry, but I'd rather not step into something if I can help it.

No, Jon. They didn't even tell me outright about their aversion to seeing Lark and wouldn't start an altercation. Lark can tell you if he wants to, I suppose, but I won't. I've meddled enough.

And Lark... mild persuasion, not full on stubbornness. I've been trying for more patience lately. I just had to persist in the conversation long enough to get stated preferences.

It's someone I attacked. I didn't kill them, but I shouldn't have done it. I knew better, and I regret it now.

They're not going to seek revenge on me, not directly or through my friends... but I don't know who their friends are. Or if they even told anyone.

[Ah, hell, he doesn't see danger in that direction but he's been wrong before.]

Nico. He's not a threat but maybe knowing will help you interact with him in the future.

[ He just nods. ]

I don't- I try not to think of people as 'threats'. But I'll keep it in mind. Thank you.

[ A nod to each of them. He appreciates being told. And he won't say a word. Not one.]

[Tris certainly isn't going to enlighten Lark about Nico's known associates. Though a hollow feeling very suddenly opens up in the pit of her stomach at that line of thought. The timing of Jedao's breakdown. The patch over Hux's eye in the infirmary. Oh.

Nico wouldn't have told anyone, but if Tris, who's a friendly acquaintance at best, figured out the bad blood between him and Lark, a devastatingly insightful man who considers Nico family could do the same. She'll have to talk to Jedao.]

Attacked him in the library during your shift. I found him when I arrived for mine. Nico never told me who it was, and I highly doubt he would have willingly volunteered the information to anyone. [Which is not remotely the same thing as no one knowing, as Lark is more than intelligent enough to be aware.] I should have confronted you about it much sooner than I did, but I was having an awful month and too busy crying into your fur to draw logical conclusions and do my job.

Thanks for not mentioning it, Jon. For all the gods' sakes, though, Lark, don't tell Jon to interact with him at all. If he didn't pay attention to him before, he shouldn't start now.

[To Jon:] Unless you desperately want to talk about math, I suppose. That's mostly what Nico and I talk about.

[A slow frown] I'm not telling anyone to do anything. I'm covering bases for how the barge will throw people together who have never noticed each other before.

...I didn't know you found him. I didn't know he stayed-

Never mind. I'm sorry.

[ Jon's quiet for a moment, thinking over what the two of them have said just now. Clearly this is... charged. But it's nothing he's terribly involved in. ]

I will certainly do my best to assist him, should he require it. [ He says slowly, carefully. ] And I've never had much of a head for it, but I've read any number of books on mathematics so I'm sure I'll be able to handle the situation should the need arise. Now...

Would it be helpful for me to slip away for the moment since the majority of the business is done? It sounds as if this is something that might be largely between the two of you. And I'd... rather not be a reason it goes unresolved.

I'm sorry. It's resolved enough. It's been so long for Lark that I wouldn't even have dug into this at all if it weren't for Nico's request. I won't bring it up again.

I just... don't cope well with violence. And I get so upset about how awful it makes me feel that I tend to lose my temper at anyone involved.

[Violence is what lycanthropes were created to do, so Tris's perspective is alien to him and always will be. He sets that difference aside as much as he can.]

I'm glad he made that request. It's progress, and I want him to keep on progressing, so bottom line is I'm happy to do a set schedule for him.

[As for the rest, he doesn't know what to think yet.]

I don't have an innate or anything else to do so feel free to write me in wherever you need.

Things have settled for me somewhat. Though I will be heading back to my world for a couple of days, purposefully this time, in order to pick up another set of statements and handle some business. It should set Martin and myself from the same point in out timeline.

[ He sounds strangely... peaceful about it. ]

Apparently, we're bundled up in the Scottish highlands together. It's a safe house, of course. And... nothing's perfect. But... it seems as if we've found some breathing room there as well as here.

You like him now. [It's only half a question. And it's better than the alternative.] He did specify that I wasn't to ask you not to come to the library during other times of day, just that the on-duty librarian for a given block of time is clearly posted.

That sounds nice, Jon. I'm so glad you get a bit of peace there.

No, I don't. But I shouldn't have hurt him like I did. I'm trying to make amends and this is all I can offer him.

Thank you for that.

[what do you do with a 'thank you' help]

I should thank you for getting him to admit he wants anything. I don't think he ever would have for me.

[Which is frustrating even if Lark Gets It.]

Anyway- can I ask you two to figure out the schedule? You know the library's needs and what Nico should be entitled to. I know he isn't asking me to stay away but that might just be him being afraid to ask for what he wants. I'm open to any shifts.

Edited 2019-12-13 04:40 (UTC)

[Tris huffs a soft laugh that's equal parts amused and frustrated.] He's more likely to stand up to me to keep me from standing up for him than for any other reason I've found. It's maddening.

I'll send you something soon and post it in the library. Just let us know exactly when you want to leave, Jon, so Lark and I can factor it in.

I'm leaving... pretty much immediately. I'd like to be back before the holidays. I think Martin might start a small riot in our flat if I wasn't.

[His stomach drops a little but he smiles instead of showing it.]

Bring me back something fun.

We'll see you soon, Jon. Take care.

I'll do my best.

[ Towards Lark. ]

Apparently, there's very good cows there. I'll see if there's anything worth chewing on.

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