[ Roman's eyes are so narrowed they may as well be slits, listening as Raylan talks. He's genuinely surprised he's actually, actively listening. Maybe hell has frozen over. Or maybe he's finally ready to try.
Jesus. Raylan's right.
Jesus, and that's exactly what Raylan's done, too, done shit like give him advice when he needed it. Steered him into the right direction. Helped the whole self imploding bullshit.
Ah, fuck. Raylan's a really good warden. Roman fights the urge to be contrary and burst out that Raylan's the most disgusting person he's ever seen, not because it's even remotely true, but because even his thoughts are far too sincere at the moment. Progress. ]
Yeah. .....Yeah. Yeah, actually. [ He's finding himself actively convinced, too. ] Well, shit. You're kind of a rockstar at this.
[It was hard to overlook the lack of contrary outburst. There was always more progress with Roman; like the curve of Justice, slow but ultimately still arching towards good. But Raylan had already told Roman he was proud and didn't want to devalue that by saying it too much.
Instead, he scoffs sheepishly at the praise and lifts his eyebrows in a roll as he bobs his head.]
I don't know about that. [His record here doesn't really reflect it yet and even when it does, other Wardens graduate their inmates so much more quickly it seems.. A hole he doesn't look often or long down at. He pushes up to go fetch that bottle he'd foolishly left.]
I trust you with teachin' my daughter how to use that sharp tongue of hers. I wouldn't be doin' that if I didn't think it would do you both some good. [It was one of the higher forms of Trust.
When he comes back, he gestures for Roman's glass and pours out a few more thin fingers.]
[ Roman's lips are thinned so much it looks like he's puckering, no doubt to make an extremely off colour joke. He seems to be actively resisting whatever disgusting thing he's thought of, though. For now.
For now.
He exhales loudly, nodding. Claps his hands and leans forward and taps at the table like he can finally use up all the nervous energy he doesn't realize he's been holding in. Yeah, he can do this. He can be a better person. or whatever. He can graduate and make sure Kendall gets back on his feet and then fuck off into the sunset with John Seed. Raylan thinks he can do it. ]
She's funny, by the way. Legitimately. All she has to do is coil herself in self loathing and she'll make a killing in the comedy field.
[With a fresh glass and the bottle near, Raylan sat back in his seat, huffing a breath at the compliment.
Good talk, he thinks. It felt like Roman was on the right path. Raylan wishes he had someone he trusted enough, to someone who had graduated someone, who could confirm his gut with data. Maybe it was better he didn't - better that he walk the wire of it alone.]
I'd rather she get interested in somethin' that'll put actual money into her pocket. Marine Biology maybe - I haven't asked her yet, I only know she likes my fried chicken and scrambled eggs. [Scared of car lights on her window. Got a synthetic heart valve she's going to have to get replaced.]
What do you think that Kendall's gonna need to get started in the right direction here?
[ Marine Biology? Roman's face says it all--mouth half open, brows knit, like he's just smelled something unpleasant. Why the hell would anyone want to look at the ocean long enough to study it? And underneath?
But Raylan's asked a serious, actual question, so he's going to let that slide. For now. ]
I think so. I think he's too busy throwing himself a pity party over something he's not telling me about to realize it, but yeah.
[That look alone was a good enough reason to back it. Yes. The Ocean. A place where she could only get into a specific type of trouble.]
I tried to get whatever it was outta him. He's a good dancer, if not particularly graceful about the steppin'. Might be somethin' Neal is workin' on - whatever it is, Neal'll have his back. Teach him the same kinda trust you learned.
Yeah. [ Roman sounds a bit defeated--he's begrudgingly agreeing Kendall's an ace at information avoidance because that's just an objective fact--but he'll accept Raylan's way of looking at it. He frowns. ]
How much do you know about Neal, anyway? You trust him?
I do, [He says it somberly and with a nod, and a sure look at Roman.] and I know a goodly amount. He's seen some shit and done some shit, but not all criminals are bad people. He's more in the 'eat the rich' or 'eat with the rich', not 'deep and unbidding hate and insanity'. He's gentle. Smart. Kind. Capable of being firm if he needs to be or believes in somethin'.
Kendall's in good hands. Neal will take care of him.
Yeah. [ Roman's watching Raylan carefully, studying his face as he talks like it's crib notes for a final exam, searching for any cracks. Any lies. He trusts Raylan, but for shit like this he has to make extra sure. He seems satisfied by the end of it, though. Frowns, but it's more to himself. ]
Kendall's fucked up. Like--Shiv is batshit, and I'm-- [ A fluttering motion with his hands ]-- but Ken's, like. Broken. Broken broken.
He's going to need someone to be careful with him.
I think if I try to outright help him he might take it the wrong way, and Neal's fine, but he's... Even if he gets the situation, will he get Kendall? Actually, actually? Like you get me?
So you'll help him sideways. Even if that's just bein' there for him when he crashes.
I think he will. Hell, he's managed to understand me, and that's no small kinda feat. I don't think anythin' I can say will sell it to you, only time is gonna do that but- I trust him.
[Maybe more than he should, but Raylan couldn't help himself. Neal had cracked a code with trusting him first.]
Ah, jesus. That's funny. We're all a little less pretty when Neal's in the room but at least he's gracious about it.
It'll be alright. And when it's not, you'll come rave about it to me and we'll figure it out. I know Kendall's not my inmate, but he's important to you and that makes me invested in him getting closer to the spot you're at. Neal ain't doin' this alone either.
[ He does feel a little better now that Raylan's aid all of that. He hums slightly, a brief little noise before it turns into a small, mischievous grin. ]
Hey Raylan? Next time you see Kendall, ask him about Vaulter.
Oh, just a friendly business thing. We had a tiny bit of a rivalry back in the day, if you can believe it. Vying over who Pops would give the last affection meatball to for our ego spaghetti.
Uh-huh. I don't know that I believe that any business of yours is exactly 'friendly' - [He has read your file, Rome.] - But I'll keep it in mind.
[He empties his cup.]
Hey, since Willa's here.. Will you do me a favor and keep an eye on her? Or more specifically, on the folks keepin' an eye on her? I know I'll have a few folks to ask to keep her safe but you've got the kinda eyes that can see shifty motherfuckers in shadows, smell the grease of 'em as they come around, that kinda thing.
[ Oh, wow. Raylan's asking him about something pretty damn important. Roman doesn't interrupt--doesn't really want to comment on it because it'll ruin things--but his brows raise and he does allow himself an incredibly large grin. ] Hmmmm... [ They both know it's a yes, but Roman draws it out for a fraction of a second just to savour things. Is it possible to taste a compliment on the tongue? ]
I think that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me, and flattery will get you everywhere, so yeah. Happy to. Gives me something to actually fucking to.
[ And he is good at sniffing people out. He's busted, like, what, three unionizing efforts? ]
Someone's got to make sure she's using the network appropriately and for its intended use. And Raylan-- [ he claps a hand on the other's shoulder, looking directly into his eyes. ] --You're like a brother to me, but let's be honest with ourselves, you have a blackberry.
[Raylan smirks and rolls his eyes a little at the 'flattery will get you everywhere'. He's glad Roman is pleased though.
His eyebrows lift a little at the hand clasped on his shoulder, not sure what to expect - and promptly laughs at the dig and its implication.]
Thank god, cause IT Carl ain't here to explain it to her. But my blackberry does everything a phone needs to. It can connect to the internet, you know. I'm not lettin' it go until they make me; it's more solid than a Nokia.
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Jesus. Raylan's right.
Jesus, and that's exactly what Raylan's done, too, done shit like give him advice when he needed it. Steered him into the right direction. Helped the whole self imploding bullshit.
Ah, fuck. Raylan's a really good warden. Roman fights the urge to be contrary and burst out that Raylan's the most disgusting person he's ever seen, not because it's even remotely true, but because even his thoughts are far too sincere at the moment. Progress. ]
Yeah. .....Yeah. Yeah, actually. [ He's finding himself actively convinced, too. ] Well, shit. You're kind of a rockstar at this.
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Instead, he scoffs sheepishly at the praise and lifts his eyebrows in a roll as he bobs his head.]
I don't know about that. [His record here doesn't really reflect it yet and even when it does, other Wardens graduate their inmates so much more quickly it seems.. A hole he doesn't look often or long down at. He pushes up to go fetch that bottle he'd foolishly left.]
I trust you with teachin' my daughter how to use that sharp tongue of hers. I wouldn't be doin' that if I didn't think it would do you both some good. [It was one of the higher forms of Trust.
When he comes back, he gestures for Roman's glass and pours out a few more thin fingers.]
No matter what you end up doin', I support ya.
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For now.
He exhales loudly, nodding. Claps his hands and leans forward and taps at the table like he can finally use up all the nervous energy he doesn't realize he's been holding in. Yeah, he can do this. He can be a better person. or whatever. He can graduate and make sure Kendall gets back on his feet and then fuck off into the sunset with John Seed. Raylan thinks he can do it. ]
She's funny, by the way. Legitimately. All she has to do is coil herself in self loathing and she'll make a killing in the comedy field.
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Good talk, he thinks. It felt like Roman was on the right path. Raylan wishes he had someone he trusted enough, to someone who had graduated someone, who could confirm his gut with data. Maybe it was better he didn't - better that he walk the wire of it alone.]
I'd rather she get interested in somethin' that'll put actual money into her pocket. Marine Biology maybe - I haven't asked her yet, I only know she likes my fried chicken and scrambled eggs. [Scared of car lights on her window. Got a synthetic heart valve she's going to have to get replaced.]
What do you think that Kendall's gonna need to get started in the right direction here?
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But Raylan's asked a serious, actual question, so he's going to let that slide. For now. ]
I think so. I think he's too busy throwing himself a pity party over something he's not telling me about to realize it, but yeah.
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I tried to get whatever it was outta him. He's a good dancer, if not particularly graceful about the steppin'. Might be somethin' Neal is workin' on - whatever it is, Neal'll have his back. Teach him the same kinda trust you learned.
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How much do you know about Neal, anyway? You trust him?
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Kendall's in good hands. Neal will take care of him.
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Kendall's fucked up. Like--Shiv is batshit, and I'm-- [ A fluttering motion with his hands ]-- but Ken's, like. Broken. Broken broken.
He's going to need someone to be careful with him.
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[ God, how to even explain this? ]
I think if I try to outright help him he might take it the wrong way, and Neal's fine, but he's... Even if he gets the situation, will he get Kendall? Actually, actually? Like you get me?
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I think he will. Hell, he's managed to understand me, and that's no small kinda feat. I don't think anythin' I can say will sell it to you, only time is gonna do that but- I trust him.
[Maybe more than he should, but Raylan couldn't help himself. Neal had cracked a code with trusting him first.]
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[ Roman exhales. Touches his face when he probably shouldn't, shrugs slightly. ]
I trust you. If you trust Neal, and he hasn't done anything to tell me otherwise, he's probably alright.
I do think Ken's going to feel emasculated just because his warden looks like fucking Prince Charming though. Jesus.
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Ah, jesus. That's funny. We're all a little less pretty when Neal's in the room but at least he's gracious about it.
It'll be alright. And when it's not, you'll come rave about it to me and we'll figure it out. I know Kendall's not my inmate, but he's important to you and that makes me invested in him getting closer to the spot you're at. Neal ain't doin' this alone either.
[The Support Hat is In.]
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[ He does feel a little better now that Raylan's aid all of that. He hums slightly, a brief little noise before it turns into a small, mischievous grin. ]
Hey Raylan? Next time you see Kendall, ask him about Vaulter.
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What's Vaulter? A person, place or thing-[He just wondered if he could get a little context. How deep a dig was that name, that question.]
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[ Roman's smile is perfectly innocent. ]
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[He empties his cup.]
Hey, since Willa's here.. Will you do me a favor and keep an eye on her? Or more specifically, on the folks keepin' an eye on her? I know I'll have a few folks to ask to keep her safe but you've got the kinda eyes that can see shifty motherfuckers in shadows, smell the grease of 'em as they come around, that kinda thing.
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I think that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me, and flattery will get you everywhere, so yeah. Happy to. Gives me something to actually fucking to.
[ And he is good at sniffing people out. He's busted, like, what, three unionizing efforts? ]
Someone's got to make sure she's using the network appropriately and for its intended use. And Raylan-- [ he claps a hand on the other's shoulder, looking directly into his eyes. ] --You're like a brother to me, but let's be honest with ourselves, you have a blackberry.
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His eyebrows lift a little at the hand clasped on his shoulder, not sure what to expect - and promptly laughs at the dig and its implication.]
Thank god, cause IT Carl ain't here to explain it to her. But my blackberry does everything a phone needs to. It can connect to the internet, you know. I'm not lettin' it go until they make me; it's more solid than a Nokia.
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I've got it. [ A gentle assurance hot off the heals of his teasing. ] Don't worry.
/end
Uhhuh. Thanks, Rome. Now finish your drink and tell me if you want another one.