♻ 018 | text/video

[tucky]

[filtered to Dillon, Iris, Mason, and Simon]

[Everyone on this filter gets the same message, sent separately.]

Can you come see me? I need to talk to you.

[Then, after a moment, an addition.]

Don't worry its nothing bad.

[video]

[Later, after finishing visiting with and giving her news to the above people, Tiffany sets herself up to make a public announcement. She sits cross-legged on her bed, turns on the recorder... and suddenly realizes that she has no idea how she wants to say this.]

I...

... There's a Bible verse that I like. It goes like this: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

[She isn't reading it off of anything; she's memorized it. Considering the last verse she took the time to memorize was about smiting God's enemies for Him, this is an improvement.]

If you know me much at all you probably know I'm a big believer in God. And when I first learned about Him, it was the best deal I ever heard of. I'd never been a part of anything before; never been in anybody's fold. But here I was, learning about somebody who'd love me, and give me a reason to be - I wanted that, you know? Who wouldn't? Feeling like you're loved is the nicest thing.

But then I came here, and I learned that being loved is only part of what's important. You gotta love back, honestly and truly. And I do. I have met the most amazing people and made the most amazing friends, and I wouldn't trade any of you for anything. I told Dr. Cambridge a while ago that I got a lot of hate in my heart sometimes, and that's true. I used to like showing it around a lot. But on the Barge I learned that I got a lot of love in my heart too, and I like showing that around even more.

So what I really meant to say is that I graduated, and it's 'cause of y'all, and I love you very much. Even the people I don't like I kind of love a little bit right now.

[She almost adds Except Arthas here, but bites her tongue.]

But especially the people I like; the people who have helped me. And some of you feel the same way and some of you don't, and that's okay, because love is not self-seeking and me feeling it is enough.

[Pause.]

I'm gonna stay. I'm gonna be a warden. It's kinda scary to me, but I'm doing it. I don't always like how it is on the Barge and last month I was thinking maybe I'd leave, but... I can't do that. It's like my home, now.

That's all.

[And she ends the feed.]

Comments

[tucky]

Um... five months? Six?

[She quickly counts off on her fingers.]

Like four and a half months, I guess. I got here on Christmas.

[babyfacedkiller]

That's no time at all.

[He knows that's not true. It may not be much in terms of prison time, but a hell lot can go down in a single month on a Barge, let alone in four and a half.]

You're like the Speedy Gonzales of graduations; gonna make the rest of us look bad.

[tucky]

Nah. Most of y'all are doing just fine.

... I'm glad you still like me and are happy for me, 'cause I was kinda worried about that with most of my inmate friends. I didn't used to have a lot, but I have more now, and I don't want any of 'em to hate me or think things are gonna be different now.

[babyfacedkiller]

Well, 'course I still like you and I'm happy for you. You earned it.

[He sounds a little more serious now. They haven't known each other for very long, but he likes her, thinks she's a nice, positive sort of person, and refreshingly honest. Maybe a little too honest sometimes, but hey, better than being a fucking snake.]

And I don't think you're gonna be the kind of warden who'd let the power trip go to their head. I think you want to help people and you're gonna do good, like you said.

If anybody gives you shit for becoming a warden, then they're just being dicks. Fuck 'em.

[tucky]

[She laughs at that.]

Yeah, and... people are being good about it so far, I think. I just know there's people who don't like wardens much, and most of 'em are people I don't like anyway, but a few of them... I don't know. Hopefully they're gonna make exceptions for me 'cause we was already friends.

Thanks, Lloyd. I like you, too. And we're still gonna go drinking sometimes, I hope.

[babyfacedkiller]

Sure. Only now you're gonna have to do the gentleman thing and open the door for me.

[tucky]

I can be a gentleman. I'd pay for you if we had to pay.

[babyfacedkiller]

Could always use monopoly money, I guess. You know, just to make me feel special.

[tucky]

Okay, you got it. I'll buy you a drink using Monopoly money.

[You may think she is kidding but she is in fact not]

[babyfacedkiller]

It's a deal. You want to go drinkin' now? We can skip the monopoly shit this time, put it on the tab.

[tucky]

Yeah, sure; of course. Meet me at the door?

[babyfacedkiller]

Sure. See you in five.

[He shows up just slightly late, and shoots her a grin that isn't too marred by the inexplicable heaviness of his brain, or whatever's currently occupying his skull.]

Hey, graduation girl. You're missin' one of those weird square hats.

[tucky]

Yeah? You're right, I should wish one up.

[And she does; it suddenly appears on her head. She waves the tassel at Lloyd.]

[babyfacedkiller]

[He's never actually seen one of those for real.]

Looks good on you. You could be a professor of Barge studies.

[tucky]

[She's never actually worn one for real, so they're on the same page.]

Gotta get me some of those big professor glasses first. Put my hair up in a bun and start wearing ladies' suits.

[babyfacedkiller]

No, Jesus, don't do that. [He winces at the image, which incidentally is exactly how he pictures a lady professor, too.] Or at least put it in two buns, if you're gonna, like Princess Leia. We're in outer fuckin' space, right?

[Of course, now Lloyd's picturing a whole other wardrobe choice, but in an effort to be a classy dude, he keeps it to himself.]

Hey, c'mere.

[He opens his arms in invitation for a congratulatory hug.]

[tucky]

[Tiffany takes the invitation gladly, giving him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.]

That's Star Wars, right? Never saw most of those. I saw half of one, I think.

[babyfacedkiller]

[He hugs her back, nice and tight, and gives her a little grin after letting go.]

Yeah, that's right. I guess it must be ancient history for you in the future -- probably went out of style. It was a pretty big deal when I was growing up, though. First one came out when I was eleven or twelve; broke two fingers that summer, trying to swordfight with my buddies. We used broomsticks, even painted 'em to look more like lightsabers.

[tucky]

[She huffs out a laugh.]

Kids use brooms to pretend to fly on now, 'cause of Harry Potter.

But we still got Star Wars. People still like it. They put out some new movies, too.