Neal has come a-knocking on Raylan's door, this time calm and cognizant and wondering what the actual hell Raylan will say to him when he realizes it's Neal on his doorstep. He's nervous about it, like he wasn't during the flood, and he wishes briefly that the katydos were back to calm him down and give him a boost of confidence.
He's also very glad they're not.
He's also very glad they're not.
When the katydos had gone, Raylan had fallen hard back into reality, brain running nonstop for the next few days and hiding in the business of it all. But that still left him sleepless nights and long hours sitting in one of the chairs of his bedroom, mind turning over everything that happened here. During the flood, before it. The broken promise he'd made to himself, so easily cast away under the lack of inhabitations, the freedom from the consequences of it all.
Part of him wished they were back there. Easier, to not be responsible. Easier to ignore how much of a piece of shit he is. He had tried to dry out a little, having taken full stock of exactly how far he was backsliding and spent a lot of his time in the shower, stuck between trying to remember the ins and outs of breathing and not thinking at the same time and trying not to think about the debauchery he'd taken part so happily in.
And then he cleaned, like doing so would remove the stain of problematic that he was without his normal reservations.
Today he was cleaning his guns - a therapeutic chore that always helped him calm down the chaotic storm in his chest - when Neal knocked. He grabs up a kitchen cloth, dedicated to gun oil, and starts wiping his hands off as he comes to the door. Asking who it was felt.. weak, so Raylan opens the door without preamble, but as soon as he saw it was Neal, he stilled. His mind flashed through everything all over again, the tie, the roped wristcuffs, the sharp crack of switchwood, the way they sounded-
"Neal." There's no hiding the surprise behind the delay of saying anything. "You're-" Here. Looking good for a dead guy. Going to hate me.
"Uh-" Get on track Givens. He scratches his forehead with his thumbnail as he continued. "Savin' me a trip. You-" Are you okay? He realizes his lacking manners and steps back, opening the door wider and inviting him in with a gesture.
"C'mon in."
Part of him wished they were back there. Easier, to not be responsible. Easier to ignore how much of a piece of shit he is. He had tried to dry out a little, having taken full stock of exactly how far he was backsliding and spent a lot of his time in the shower, stuck between trying to remember the ins and outs of breathing and not thinking at the same time and trying not to think about the debauchery he'd taken part so happily in.
And then he cleaned, like doing so would remove the stain of problematic that he was without his normal reservations.
Today he was cleaning his guns - a therapeutic chore that always helped him calm down the chaotic storm in his chest - when Neal knocked. He grabs up a kitchen cloth, dedicated to gun oil, and starts wiping his hands off as he comes to the door. Asking who it was felt.. weak, so Raylan opens the door without preamble, but as soon as he saw it was Neal, he stilled. His mind flashed through everything all over again, the tie, the roped wristcuffs, the sharp crack of switchwood, the way they sounded-
"Neal." There's no hiding the surprise behind the delay of saying anything. "You're-" Here. Looking good for a dead guy. Going to hate me.
"Uh-" Get on track Givens. He scratches his forehead with his thumbnail as he continued. "Savin' me a trip. You-" Are you okay? He realizes his lacking manners and steps back, opening the door wider and inviting him in with a gesture.
"C'mon in."
Edited 2023-07-02 22:40 (UTC)
Hi Raylan. I just wanted to thank you. For helping out last night before it turned into a brawl or something.
[The screen pops on to show Raylan on his patio.]
You don't need to thank me, Malcolm. I was doin' the job that I was asked to do is all. Kinda surprised that she did it so openly without provocation, but some people can't handle themselves on liquor some days.
You don't need to thank me, Malcolm. I was doin' the job that I was asked to do is all. Kinda surprised that she did it so openly without provocation, but some people can't handle themselves on liquor some days.
[ she isn't sure sending a video message is the right thing to do. not when she had what was coming to her in whatever freak karmaic way it did. so laura sends a text instead. not so much to say 'hey, you were right' but to acknowledge that he did said something to her that's.. stuck. ]
you gave me a lot to think about the other night. that doesn't happen a lot.
you gave me a lot to think about the other night. that doesn't happen a lot.
From here.
You mean the tendency to threaten people? Or the tendency to fuck around and find out? OR are we talking about the tendency to claim you in such a way? You might havta be a little clearer there, brother.
You mean the tendency to threaten people? Or the tendency to fuck around and find out? OR are we talking about the tendency to claim you in such a way? You might havta be a little clearer there, brother.
[Right after Neal talks to Kendall after their assignment, and right after he talks to the Admiral after that, Neal calls Raylan.]
So I'm actually doing the warden thing. I've got a person. I don't know if you saw, given Roman's... situation.
So I'm actually doing the warden thing. I've got a person. I don't know if you saw, given Roman's... situation.
Kinda awesome if I'm being honest. Never thought I'd get a kick out of summoning storms and everything else, but here we are. Think I might ask the Network who's on board that can help teach that type of thing.
How'd you enjoy the whole deal? Being someone else and all.
How'd you enjoy the whole deal? Being someone else and all.
pls assume he let Raylan know he’d be gone home a couple days
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conning
- 2023-08-10 20:30 (UTC) - ExpandHey
Just wanted to see when you wanted to talk about magic.
Let me know.
Just wanted to see when you wanted to talk about magic.
Let me know.
'Are you okay' is a stupid question I'm not going to ask.
So I'm just gonna ask - you need a hug, some support, someone to listen to you vent? I know you've got to be worried as hell right now.
Standing offer, if you're not ready to let her out of your sight yet.
So I'm just gonna ask - you need a hug, some support, someone to listen to you vent? I know you've got to be worried as hell right now.
Standing offer, if you're not ready to let her out of your sight yet.
Will you help me keep an eye on her? I-.. I know that's a lot to ask but- [It was the most immediate relief to a man who was suddenly scrambling to cover all his bases. He was fucking stupid to have breathed his sigh of relief that she wasn't here. He should have known. He should have a plan and a backup plan and a backup plan for the backup plan.]
Fuck Mags. She's not supposed to be here.
Fuck Mags. She's not supposed to be here.
I'm guessing you already have a lot of people saying this but
If you need anything, just tell me.
I've got your back.
If you need anything, just tell me.
I've got your back.
Thank you. Admiral won't send her back, I've already asked, so now I get to worry about whatever insanity is coming down the line even more intently.
Will you help keep an eye on her? Just a general kind of well being way, I know she's gonna get up to some shit but if she gets stabbed on the deck or something...
[He hoped Sweeney would understand the nuance of his worry.]
Will you help keep an eye on her? Just a general kind of well being way, I know she's gonna get up to some shit but if she gets stabbed on the deck or something...
[He hoped Sweeney would understand the nuance of his worry.]
I know you probably have a lot on your mind and a bunch of offers already for soundboards, but me and my cabin are here if you need a place to escape.
She tosses and turns on the guest room bed for a while, until it's well past dark, until it's that ambiguous o'clock that's too late to be early but too early to be anything like morning.
Finally she gets up and tiptoes out to sit on her dad's beach in her bare feet and black plaid sleep shorts and an oversized t-shirt with an upside-down panda on it that says That's how I roll.
Finally she gets up and tiptoes out to sit on her dad's beach in her bare feet and black plaid sleep shorts and an oversized t-shirt with an upside-down panda on it that says That's how I roll.
He had gone out almost as soon as she was down. Out to breathe, out to think, out to take advantage of the kindness of the friends that have reached out to him. Was he a little drunk? Yes, but thankfully, he had all sorts of skills around that. Once he'd toed off his boots and socks and sat his hat down, he ambles out towards the beach to do the same thing Willa is.
Seeing her there only stops him at the doorway for a handful of moments, but then he pulls a soft smile and pads out to sit next to her, one leg crossing under as the other stays propped up, a great place to drape his hand as they stare at the softly and barely lit 'sea'.
"Pretty impressive special effects, ain't it."
Seeing her there only stops him at the doorway for a handful of moments, but then he pulls a soft smile and pads out to sit next to her, one leg crossing under as the other stays propped up, a great place to drape his hand as they stare at the softly and barely lit 'sea'.
"Pretty impressive special effects, ain't it."
[ He debates whether he should send this message, but ultimately, his concern gets the better of him. ]
Hey, so.
I know we had some cross words the last time we talked, but...I'm all over the ship a lot with custodial work. So if you want me to keep an eye out for Willa, I will.
You know- not hovering or anything. Just making sure she's okay if I see her.
Hey, so.
I know we had some cross words the last time we talked, but...I'm all over the ship a lot with custodial work. So if you want me to keep an eye out for Willa, I will.
You know- not hovering or anything. Just making sure she's okay if I see her.
Yes, please. I know it's a lot to ask but I can't be everywhere. And I'm guessing you get why I'm worried.
[And it wasn't healthy for Willa to know that Raylan had eyes on her all the time. He and Zack may not agree on a great many things, but the giant clusterfuck in the wake of Cloud's having killed him, Zack had proved himself on the right side of the lines.
Enough that Raylan could trust that Zack would use the impressive range of his powers to keep Willa safe if shit went down or if she was in trouble.]
[And it wasn't healthy for Willa to know that Raylan had eyes on her all the time. He and Zack may not agree on a great many things, but the giant clusterfuck in the wake of Cloud's having killed him, Zack had proved himself on the right side of the lines.
Enough that Raylan could trust that Zack would use the impressive range of his powers to keep Willa safe if shit went down or if she was in trouble.]
As I'm sure you've probably had about a dozen liquor cabinets opened to you and at least half as many cabins, I'll go the other direction: if you need a babysitter at some point, to keep her distracted while you have a minute to yourself, say the word.
Did Roman get up to a lot of bullshit when you first got paired or did I just lucky with my inmate? Also, how are you holding up, Daddy Givens?
You mean get up to a lot of bullshit like killing someone or get up to a lotta bullshit meaning railing against us poor folks. I got lucky - he doesn't like getting his hands dirty, but he made up for it by getting himself shanked a few months later.
'Daddy Givens' feels like I'm in the middle of three consecutive heart attacks, but I don't know that there's much to be done about it.
What's your inmate up to?
'Daddy Givens' feels like I'm in the middle of three consecutive heart attacks, but I don't know that there's much to be done about it.
What's your inmate up to?
She dozes through being carried to her dad's cabin, shifting and resettling a couple of times, waking up once, but only enough to register Raylan and drift off again.
She's half-awake when he pulls back the covers on his bed and helps her settle. Not enough to be embarrassed or do more than wriggle her way under the sheets and blanket, settle her face against the pillow, and drift off.
She sleeps pretty much through the night, waking up a good deal earlier than she usually would. For a few hazy seconds she's confused, then registers where she is--and that she fell asleep in her messy wardrobe clothes. Oops.
Willa makes a face and slowly shifts out of bed. She keeps her shorts but steals one of her dad's flannel shirts from the dresser to change into before she emerges, still looking muzzy from sleep.
"How'd I get here?" She doesn't even bother to stop moving and wait for Raylan to answer. Wherever he is, he now has a blonde barnacle.
She's half-awake when he pulls back the covers on his bed and helps her settle. Not enough to be embarrassed or do more than wriggle her way under the sheets and blanket, settle her face against the pillow, and drift off.
She sleeps pretty much through the night, waking up a good deal earlier than she usually would. For a few hazy seconds she's confused, then registers where she is--and that she fell asleep in her messy wardrobe clothes. Oops.
Willa makes a face and slowly shifts out of bed. She keeps her shorts but steals one of her dad's flannel shirts from the dresser to change into before she emerges, still looking muzzy from sleep.
"How'd I get here?" She doesn't even bother to stop moving and wait for Raylan to answer. Wherever he is, he now has a blonde barnacle.
Edited 2023-10-03 01:52 (UTC)
It had been sweet, to be called to collect her sleeping form, to carry her like he had when she was a baby - thank god he'd gotten to have that, to have the contrast, the weight and heat difference. It had been a long time since he'd put anyone to bed this way, but he did so reverently, tucking Willa into the safty of his bed. He sat with her for a good ten minutes, just watching her sleep before getting up.
He ends up sleeping on the couch, a throw blanket and a squished pillow the only evidence and by the time she pads out, he's standing barefoot, dressed in the kitchen looking over a couple of library books. Magic, if she pays attention.
Still, he smiles at the sudden thud of a body against him and he shifts, one arm moving to settle around her shoulders and squeeze her gently.
"The Givens Taxi service. Arthur called me. How'd you sleep?" In the wardrobe, being carried, in Dad's bed - dealers choice.
He ends up sleeping on the couch, a throw blanket and a squished pillow the only evidence and by the time she pads out, he's standing barefoot, dressed in the kitchen looking over a couple of library books. Magic, if she pays attention.
Still, he smiles at the sudden thud of a body against him and he shifts, one arm moving to settle around her shoulders and squeeze her gently.
"The Givens Taxi service. Arthur called me. How'd you sleep?" In the wardrobe, being carried, in Dad's bed - dealers choice.
Audio; Early but not wee hours early, the day after the Will-Avalon incident
abrightboy
2023-10-11 01:33 am (UTC)(link)
Raylan? Are you up?
[Literally the only reason she's doing video right now is that she's pretty sure her dad would want to see her, get visual confirmation she's unhurt. She's still very obviously rattled.]
Hey, dad, I-- I wanted to check in. And make sure you're okay. I am. I was up on deck and someone went a little nuts but-- [But John and Arthur saved her ass?] I'm in Arthur's cabin. He and John were up there too.
Hey, dad, I-- I wanted to check in. And make sure you're okay. I am. I was up on deck and someone went a little nuts but-- [But John and Arthur saved her ass?] I'm in Arthur's cabin. He and John were up there too.
[She was 100% correct and while his features softened considerably whenever he looked at her, today there was still a tension and edge in him.]
Hey darlin'. Thank you, I meant to call you but- [but he may have shot someone.] - I-I'm sorry. I'm glad you're okay. And safe. You're gonna need to hole up while this passes over, whatever this is.
Who lost it on ya?
[No reason he's asking, none at all.]
Hey darlin'. Thank you, I meant to call you but- [but he may have shot someone.] - I-I'm sorry. I'm glad you're okay. And safe. You're gonna need to hole up while this passes over, whatever this is.
Who lost it on ya?
[No reason he's asking, none at all.]
[Her voice is tight and worried and breaks a little as she talks.]
Hey, dad, um, I saw-- I saw on the network that it looks like Arthur got hurt. So I'm. Going to see if he's at his place or John's and then maybe probably check the infirmary. Um. Can-- Would-- Can you... come there with me? The, meet me there, the infirmary?
Hey, dad, um, I saw-- I saw on the network that it looks like Arthur got hurt. So I'm. Going to see if he's at his place or John's and then maybe probably check the infirmary. Um. Can-- Would-- Can you... come there with me? The, meet me there, the infirmary?
"So, where are we going to eat?" Willa sticks close to Raylan as they navigate the over-the-top Las Vegas/Manhattan wildness of the tourist trap ring, as she's coming to think of it.
She doesn't care. She's a full-on tourist in space, it's awesome. "I tried a bunch of the weirdest looking places already, not like a lot of food, just finger food things mostly, but I can recommend something that you won't make faces at probably."
She doesn't care. She's a full-on tourist in space, it's awesome. "I tried a bunch of the weirdest looking places already, not like a lot of food, just finger food things mostly, but I can recommend something that you won't make faces at probably."
"There's a restaurant I passed while I was gettin' supplies that looked fancy enough to be Neal's kinda taste without emptyin' our pockets. But I'll take any recommendation you might have to give me," he says with a chuckle, glancing down at her.
This is what he'd wanted, a little normalcy for them, a little hang out time with just her and him. With how well everything had been going in this port, Raylan wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to get Willa and Neal off on the right foot. Normalcy was going to be a good social lubricant - no one in anyone's safe space.
"He'll meet us there. Be prepared for him to be fabulously overdressed or us being fabulously underdressed; I'm never sure which it really is."
This is what he'd wanted, a little normalcy for them, a little hang out time with just her and him. With how well everything had been going in this port, Raylan wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to get Willa and Neal off on the right foot. Normalcy was going to be a good social lubricant - no one in anyone's safe space.
"He'll meet us there. Be prepared for him to be fabulously overdressed or us being fabulously underdressed; I'm never sure which it really is."
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