Come Sail Away IC Inbox

[crushed_pearls]

Erin's voice mail message is in a weary voice: "Erin Peters. If you called in the middle of the night and I didn't answer, I'm dying. If I pick up and someone on your end isn't dying, they will be shortly. Text otherwise."

Comments

[businessorlibation]

Check in on Vance? He's...there's a lot of guilt and self-loathing in him right now, and I don't know how to help him. I think you might resonate better with him.

This is not me dismissing him as my student, in case that needs saying. (To him, I know you already know that.)

[crushed_pearls]

Can do. I have not spoken to him many times but it has been interesting every time it has happened. I can imagine he is feeling some kind of way. I did not have track of him during the battle but before at the party he was very firmly on the side of killing the Captain. If nothing else stopping the people who were claiming to sell that service must be making him feel unsettled about his community here.

A pause. Erin debates, and then sends a second text:

Student?

[businessorlibation]

I've been tasked with training him to be a gentleman. Though I think he, I and the person who assigned him to that course of study may all have different views on the term.

Anyway, he was one of those who dealt with Friday's possession. I think he feels like he betrayed the ghosts, and us, and himself.

And I'm not good with teenagers or kids. I fuck up with Rich often enough to know I'm not going to be able to help Vance on my own.

[crushed_pearls]

Likely. Gentlemen do tend to change by time and geography. I suspect you do yourself too little credit though. If someone needs to know how to be their own man I can think of little experience more relevant to that than yours.

I truly hate this speech to text.

When things settle down a bit call on Ossie. Let him know I suggested his advice to you in the arena of childcare. He gave me the business like a river cutting through rock during the party. Gentle and undeniable.

A minute passes.

Are we still good? After everything? I know that deaths happen here. But

Erin gives up on finishing that thought and sends that text as-is>

[businessorlibation]

I'm not certain I fully understand why you and I wouldn't be good.

But I also just realized you didn't see Ebalon bringing the moon down to kill people with. So perhaps you think you were the only one who dealt in brutalities last night.

Besides. I don't get to judge you for killing someone who you love, either.

[crushed_pearls]

One minute.

Five minutes.

Seven minutes.

Okay I know you just said something very touching and real but I need to beg your indulgence when I ask you.

The moon? The one in the fucking sky? That moon?

[businessorlibation]

It's how he does all his best murdering.

[crushed_pearls]

I mean clearly how are you going to top hitting someone with the actual moon from the fucking sky? God I knew I was outclassed in some ways here but damn. Here we are I guess. Lightest of the heavyweights and given soul searching homework by the moon. The one in the fucking sky.

Erin takes a moment to compose herself.

As for why we might not be good. I am not necessarily worried about the brutality itself. Well. Yes I am but that is an old known worry that comes from knowing that sometimes when people see what violence releases in a friend they see that friend differently. But you also heard what I said to Daisy.

Unspoken: with full knowledge that I've been pursuing Crabb, your only friend from home.

[businessorlibation]

I did hear that.

That's your business, not mine.

[crushed_pearls]

Is it? You tell me that you are good with it and I will believe you. Say you understand and I will not question it. But I am not sure that I really understand myself. Why I felt for her even then.

[businessorlibation]

I'm not saying I'm good with it. Or that I understand it. I'm saying it's your business.

Erin, I love you, but if you have a flaw, it's that you have a habit of assuming your business is everyone else's to hold against you.

[crushed_pearls]

Yeah. That has been being pointed out lately. But in the defense of my traitor brain people are not often understanding of when something is not their business.

Back on her end Erin lets out a sound of relief, and a small smile, just for herself.

[businessorlibation]

I'm not most people, Erin, and you ought to know that already.

[crushed_pearls]

You surely are not. The anxiety is slow on the uptake but that little bastard will learn eventually.

Thank you for being my friend. Think I can trouble you for drinks near midnight? The company could not be better and I can offer some hot gossip from the party if you want some things that are not your business but are very good regardless.

[businessorlibation]

We'll see if my family lets me leave the cabin by then.

But I would like to see you. And talk to you. The blood won't wash off my hands.

[crushed_pearls]

Several Fucking Minutes pass.

Well. If it makes you feel any better the subtle curses are usually the worst ones.

Just let me know when you are available. I will be in one of the bars tonight Hell or high water. I need a dreamless sleep and I am not about to try and see if this ship has Benadryl for me to steal for that.

[businessorlibation]

I will let you know.

Thank you. For everything.

[crushed_pearls]

My pleasure Johnny.

Oh final detail. You might catch me around without the armor. Try not to die of shock about it because if I have to explain accidentally killing you via wearing person clothes like a person I will not be able to get through it without laughing.

Damn I really need to stop trying to joke and or flirt over this format.

[businessorlibation]

I will endeavor not to hit my head fainting at your unarmored figure.

[crushed_pearls]

There you go. I will talk to you later. Lots to do to really exhaust myself properly. Try holy water if you can find it or iron rust. Knock out some of the obvious theories. Keep well.