♻ 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

[demolitions]

If they ever do.

[As it's been longer so far than any flood he's seen.]

Sure, we can still be friends.

[Not the most convincing statement he's ever made.]

[tucky]

Yeah, if they do.

Do you want to still be my friend?

[demolitions]

I think that might depend on how much this changes you.

[Or maybe how much his perception of her changes.]

[tucky]

Why would it change me?

I'm still the same person.

[demolitions]

No you're not. You're a warden now.

[tucky]

That's a title. It ain't all of who I am.

[demolitions]

A title is night manager at the 7-11. Warden has a more psychological implication.

[tucky]

Well, I'm not gonna be bossing you around, if that's what you're thinking.

[demolitions]

Why wouldn't you? What if I gave you cause?

[tucky]

Like how?

[demolitions]

I can be very rebellious, given the proper incentive.

[tucky]

Yeah, well. I guess it would depend on what kind of rebellion you're talking about, 'cause the last people who rebelled tried to wreck the Barge.

[demolitions]

I'm not gonna try'n wreck the Barge.

[tucky]

Then why would I have a problem with you?

[demolitions]

Is that where you draw the line? Anything a person does is fine with you, so long as the Barge don't get wrecked?

[tucky]

... No.

But you're not a bad person; you're not gonna go doing the things I draw the line at. And anything I got a problem with now is the same things I'd've had a problem with a week ago.

[demolitions]

Well, I hope you're as good a judge of character as you think you are.

[There might be a tiny crack of humor there.]

[tucky]

I'm a good judge of you, I think.

[demolitions]

Yeah? How is it you know me when I don't even know me?

[tucky]

You--

You're nice to me, in a real genuine way.

[demolitions]

It ain't like that's a common thing.

[tucky]

It's more common here.

[demolitions]

Well, I suppose you're right about that.

[tucky]

Do you want me to not trust you?

[demolitions]

You don't have any reason to.