anomaly 008 . pairing & spam

[dinosize]

[ He spends a long time going over the file before he contacts her. Early life first, then moving on. Coming on the manner of her death is a sudden and brutal shock, and he has to fight down nausea for several minutes before he starts to calm down again. Flips through the list of her victims, trying not to think about the quantity, but just on the reasons. Finally, he breathes out and turns on the comm. ]

[ private to clementine ]

So. I might find someone to teach me werewolf hunting. Is that what you said?

[ spam ]

[ Catch Stephen around with a toolkit, fixing wobbly tables and chairs in common areas and the cafeteria. Feel free to have him fixing something specifically requested.

Alternatively, catch him floating down a river in CES. Chillin'. In a canoe. Like you do.

Also alternatively, he can always be found going for runs, at least once a day, up and down the stairs and in whatever environment the CES provides for him.

He has hardly said a word to his friends since Nick arrived. But he'll be doing his best to pretend nothing's wrong. ]

Comments

spam

[isahumanbeing]

[Defeated sounding sigh. He'll let it go for now.]

If you're interested, I still want to show you something. I created a map of the anomalies, something that wouldn't have happened without-- [he stops himself.]

It's attached to my cabin.

spam

[dinosize]

[ He wipes at his eyes, angrily. This is a weakness he didn't want to show. ]

So now that I'm dead, my opinion is suddenly important to you.

[ And, if he was really pressed, he would admit that he gave in to Helen, this is his fault too. But it doesn't feel like his fault. It feels like the two people he admired most in the world have spent a decade slowly tearing his heart out. And that, in the end, it wasn't even about him. He was too fucking beneath their notice. ]

spam

[isahumanbeing]

[He'd been able to be fairly calm about this so far but now his voice comes as a growl, his voice raising.] Stephen, I may not have always agreed with you but your opinion has always mattered. For eight years, Stephen. You were it.

The one time I stopped listening to you... [His expression softens and his voice lowers.] Everything fell apart.

And you were dead before I even had a chance to make it right.

spam

[dinosize]

[ His head rests in his hands and he just breathes for a long moment, shuddering. It's what he wants to hear. That he is valued, and wanted. That this wasn't a waste of time. It doesn't soothe him as much as he thinks it should, but it makes everything a little painful.

When he looks up, he's a bit calmer. ]

Well. [ He swallows. ] You could start by getting a haircut.

spam

[isahumanbeing]

[He really wasn't sure what he was expecting in response to that but it certainly wasn't anything to do with his hair. He resembles a startled puppy for a second.]

What's wrong with my hair?

[No he hasn't looked in the mirror lately shut up]

spam

[dinosize]

[ Stephen gives him a dubious look. ]

Bit long, isn't it?

spam

[isahumanbeing]

[He opens his mouth like he's going to argue it then stops.]

It is a bit. Does it look bad?

spam

[dinosize]

[ He manages a little bit of a laugh at that, still blinking away the last of the threatening tears. ]

Just weird.

spam

[isahumanbeing]

Ah.

[He runs a hand through said hair. He really hadn't bother to cut since... well, since before Stephen died.]

I'll see if I can get it cut.

spam

[dinosize]

Iris runs the spa.

[ He's not even kidding about that. ]

spam

[isahumanbeing]

[sigh] Somehow I'm not surprised.

spam

[dinosize]

She'll do all right.

- Nick.

I'm glad you're alive.

[ Doesn't even begin to cover what Stephen is feeling. But the news of Nick's death had been utterly, truly devastating. ]

spam

[isahumanbeing]

[He hesitates for second.]

Well, I can say the same about you.

spam

[dinosize]

You can?

spam

[isahumanbeing]

Of course I can, Stephen. What, did ya think I wouldn't be?

spam

[dinosize]

[ He was teasing you for your weird phrasing, yo.

That Nick prefers him alive, he already believed. ]

What next?

On this boat.

[ What next for them. ]

spam

[isahumanbeing]

[It almost feels like normal... which he'll just go with for now.]

We both came here for a reason. We can see if these deals of the Admiral's are all they're cracked up to be.

Other than that-- [he shrugs] --I thought I might try to figure out what makes this place work. If you want to help, that's fine, but remember you don't work for me anymore. So: [He's actually grinning] You don't have to listen to a word I say.

spam

[dinosize]

Well, I'm glad you're happy.

[ The reaction leaves Stephen a little bit puzzled, to be honest. He's not sure what to make of it. ]

Anyhow, I have a job. [ He gestures to the tool kit. ]

spam

[isahumanbeing]

[He glances down at the tool kit.]

I see that. Pays well? [slight joke]

spam

[dinosize]

Well, it's not being a lab technician, of course. [ As though lab technicians are paid with such prestige and honor. ]

spam

[isahumanbeing]

[He smiles a bit at that.]

I probably should find myself a job too then. Probably isn't healthy just stay in my cabin all day.

spam

[dinosize]

Plenty of lab space.

[ It's telling that Stephen didn't go for a lab. That he found something to occupy his hands first before even considering further study.

He didn't want to think. ]

spam

[isahumanbeing]

[He notices that but lets it slide for now]

I'm not sure I want to move the model into one of the labs, it's a wee bit delicate. Maybe if I have something else to work on.

spam

[dinosize]

I'm sure there's a job list somewhere.

[ He doesn't have any other good suggestions. ]

...What do you mean, a map of the anomalies?

spam

[isahumanbeing]

Easier to just show you. Come on.

[He heads back toward his cabin. The main room is like his old office at university, while another adjoining room houses one of the smaller ARC labs. Which is completely dominated by said map. ]