TLV: Inbox

[tinstar]

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[tinstar]

[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.

[abrightboy]

But that's the thing: there wasn't even previous provocation? I usually know why someone hits me in the face. Like when Johann did it or when Sweeney did it. I've only spoken to her twice. Once, early on, she was asking about bathtubs and I suggested some ideas for trying to get one. And then later, I was arguing with Sweeney and she jumped in to swear at me, but... she was the one that butted in; it didn't actually involve her.

[tinstar]

Ahhh. [He sounds with a faint nod of his head, eyes skipping over his faux skyline before falling back.]

Well there you go, that's why. [It wasn't Malcolm's fault either way, and Raylan's tone put him on a 'just the facts ma'am' kind of vibe.] Neither of 'em, Red or Laura, are around to openly admitting that they've got Something Going on. I don't even know if they're sleepin' together, though I could find out - but. I think it's gonna turn into 'I'm the only one that can kick him in the balls' kinda thing. Jury's still out.

Also, at some point, you read her like you do everyone and that's more likely the thing she's tellin' herself right now is why. And I say that because it's what she told me. That you overstep and she doesn't want you to. It's not about you. [He knew Malcolm could figure that out, had probably glanced at that thought already but sometimes it was important to say.]

But I did see you heal up rather fast.. You on Gaius's healing books?

[abrightboy]

Yeah. After Lestat. Will had signed up for it and he said it worked without any... unforeseen effects. So I got it, too.

...I don't remember reading her. I've barely spoken to her.

[tinstar]

Good... I'm under that protection too. Came in helpful when I got into a tight position in that giant ass cave port we landed in. [Malcolm was still his defacto spokesperson if Gaius needed permission to do anything.]

Well, I don't know. I'm just workin' off what I know. Maybe it was an offhanded comment, I can't say. As much as she meant it personally, I wouldn't take it that way. Talk to Steve maybe. He's her warden now, and he's a good man. I think he'll be good for her. Maybe this won't happen again.

[abrightboy]

...Is he her permanent warden now?

[tinstar]

If I'm rememberin' the last pairin's notice correctly, yeah.

You friendly with him?

[abrightboy]

No. I only ever met him at the meeting.

[tinstar]

He's a good guy. Not always the wisest, and that's from his lips, but a good one, none the less. Long timer, former military like B is. I trust him. [And trust wasn't something that Raylan handed out.]

He'll be good for her.

[abrightboy]

He’s got a whole job of work ahead. And I say that as Kikimora’s new Warden.

[tinstar]

I saw that. Good luck - last time I talked to her, she was in a giant robot suit demanding we concede to something or other.

How's she taking it?

[abrightboy]

She loves me. I was teaching her anger management before we were paired.

[tinstar]

Sounds like you're already three steps ahead then. She's a firecracker for sure.

.. You mind me askin' what you ended up doin' with your reward for graduatin' Neal?

[abrightboy]

I gave it to Neal.

[tinstar]

And this next one? [He had no doubt that Malcolm would graduate Kikimora too.]

[abrightboy]

I promised it to her.

[tinstar]

... Mm. [Of course there was an opinion there.]

Goin' for Saint of the year, huh?

[abrightboy]

What do you mean?

[tinstar]

I mean, you keep givin' away your rewards for your efforts. They're gettin' not only their life back but also a free genie wish that they didn't put the effort or sufferin' in for themselves, that's all.

[abrightboy]

“They’re the ones that put all the hard effort in,” Malcolm tells him. “They have to reflect and they have to change or they’re stuck here forever. We don’t have to change and we can be free of it any time we want. I know a lot of Wardens are doing this for the Deal and I don’t begrudge them that, but I came here for this. To help,” Malcolm explains.

[tinstar]

Raylan shakes his head. "So we're not doin' anythin'? You can't say helpin' is valuable and then not assign any value to it for yourself. Helpin' is work. Or at least it is for the rest of us." Raylan's sacrifices couldn't be downplayed like that; he refused to accept that view.

[abrightboy]

“That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying its inherent value is enough for me, specifically. I don’t think less of Wardens that take their deal. That was the deal they signed up for, as it were. Francis used his to save all the men who died under his command. Now he doesn’t have to carry that burden. I’m happy for him. And you’re using yours to be a good father. I don’t think the value of that can be understated. But I don’t need it. I don’t have anything back there. Maybe one day I’ll keep one, but… I don’t need one right now.”

[tinstar]

"It doesn't have to be for back there. That's the thing - you could go to any world you want, likely any version, you could have whatever kind of life that you want with whoever you want." He wasn't trying to push Malcolm, he respected Malcolm's choices whatever they were, but he didn't want to be misunderstood as misunderstanding.

"I hope you do keep one, one day. I hope you find somethin' that you care enough about or want enough for to take it."

[abrightboy]

“When Will earns one, he’s going to get a way for us to travel anywhere,” Malcolm tells him. “That’s when I’ll need it, anyway. When Will is free.”

[tinstar]

"When Will earn- Is he planning on staying as a Warden? I don't- I'm sorry, I don't get it. Why not use one of yours to do the same thing once he graduates? Why wait for him to go through the Wardening process?"