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[toabsolution]

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spam

[punched_hitler]

Steve spends a lot of time wandering the Barge. Sometimes it comes in handy, like when he needs to figure out where the cabins of the newer residents are. So it's not too much trouble to find Jake's, only by the time Steve's standing in front of the door, another thermos of coffee in hand like an olive branch, he isn't... sure this is a good idea.

But he's here. And just because something's going to be weird and awkward doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. Right?

So he raises his hand and knocks.

Re: spam

[toabsolution]

Jake opens the door for him and hesitates half a second before letting him in. He doesn't say anything, just glances at the coffee and gestures for him to come inside. There's a glass of whiskey on the table and a leather journal with a pen, though he closes it and tosses it on top of the bed.

Re: spam

[punched_hitler]

Steve offers as friendly a smile as he can, stepping inside to set the thermos on the table. "So I guess... I mostly just came to say I'm sorry and that was probably just as weird for me as it was for you. I know it doesn't make us friends or anything, but - I have been through a lot of breaches, so if there's anything I can do..."

There probably isn't, but he still wants to offer.

Re: spam

[toabsolution]

"You can sit and share that with me," he tells him, gesturing to the thermos before sitting down. "Tell me who you really are."

He had only one interaction with him that he recalls, and it wasn't entirely unpleasant.

Audio

[dog_eat_dog]

So where're you taking me out this weekend?

[Picture, if you would like, Tess twirling a lock of hair around her finger. It's that kind of vibe.]

Audio

[toabsolution]

[Cute. He sighs, trying to be tough instead of laughing.]

Taking you out? That what we're doin'?

Audio

[dog_eat_dog]

Don't tell me one little date is too high maintenance for you.

Re: Audio

[toabsolution]

Date.

[A long pause.]

We'll go on a picnic.

Audio, post Jake's death via Quill

[dog_eat_dog]

[She's almost always the one to come crawling back after a dispute, content to pretend nothing happened until it's brought up. She doesn't always like it, but it's easy. It is, regretfully, a very well-practiced song and dance. She figures Jake will figure out the steps in time.

Friendly, to a point:]

Dinner tonight, maybe?

[toabsolution]

[As good as it is to hear her voice, he knows this won't end well. Every breath is still a struggle. He tries not to show it, but he doesn't have the focus for texting, and he figures that will tip her off just as much.]

Not tonight.

Gotta...sleep this off.

[dog_eat_dog]

[Well, that's unexpected. Tess finds herself frowning. Ten months and she hasn't gotten even a cold –– she doesn't suppose anyone else would, either. He doesn't sound drunk off his ass, either.

But Norton did post to the network about a whole lot of death.]

... Did you get fucked up by that blonde woman?

[toabsolution]

[Oh boy.]

Wasn't a human woman.

She took my gun, my knife, and my goddamn boots. Woke up and got Misty.

[stand_unshaken]

Hey, dumbass.

We gotta talk.

[toabsolution]

Good afternoon to you, too.

I'm in my room if you want to come by.

[stand_unshaken]

[He's there just a few minutes later. Not that he's in a rush, but if he's planning something he's not going to dawdle while he goes to do it. He knocks on his door, then stands back, arms crossed over his chest.]

[toabsolution]

[He's not quite sure what to expect, but he opens the door anyway and gestures for him to come inside. He doesn't have the whiskey out yet, but he does go and get two glasses from the kitchen as soon as he sees it's Arthur.]

What's the occasion?

Text

[dog_eat_dog]

Got a minute?

Re: Text

[toabsolution]

Yeah. Got a few.

Text

[dog_eat_dog]

[A pause. She's been delaying on this for at least a week, and no matter how many times she's had to hold her nose and do something unpleasant, it never feels easy.]

Deck in five?

Spam, the day before pairings day

[worthallthis]

B has still be going to work on the custodial crew, once the worst effects of the death toll have passed, and the worst of his panic over graduating. Even if he's not an inmate anymore and it's mostly inmate work, it's familiar and even soothing.

So he's seen Jake. But they haven't really talked. He's not even sure if Jake knows, yet, that he's graduated. And now he's out of time, because pairings come out tomorrow, and he needs to make sure he's not on them.

So he tracks down Jake with a bottle of whiskey (from the lounge) and an origami dog, in the evening. "Jake. I. I'm leaving tomorrow." And he holds out the bottle.

[toabsolution]

B had told Jake, briefly, about the bathroom. About graduating.

He didn't tell him that he was leaving. So when B keeps showing up to custodial, Jake's grateful for the help. He hands him a broom, still tells him what needs doing and where, just because it's familiar. Because Jake knows that when big things happen, familiarity is absolutely necessary.

When the bottle is handed to him and B tells him he's leaving, that's less good. He takes the bottle because that's what you do when someone gives you something, but there's definite confusion in his face for a moment. "You ain't gonna stick around."

It's not a question. He didn't think B would feel comfortable as a warden, but - well, time is running out.

[worthallthis]

"I can't," he answers, voice a little strangled. He's being very careful not to crush the second gift, the origami, before Jake can take it too. But it's a challenge. "I can't be responsible for somebody else. And I've got a different Steve to save."

apropos of nothing, apparently

[oohforeshadowing]

Warden.

You haven't harassed me lately. Still alive? Do I need to send a search party?

My favorite

[toabsolution]

Wasn't sure if you wanted to talk to me. Or spend time with me. Since you're annoyed with me.

[Clearly someone is learning how to be petty.]

[oohforeshadowing]

Oh, that was last month. Stop living in the past.

Besides, I hadn't known at the time that your domestic upset was clouding your judgement.