tucky | ♻ 007

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♻ 007 | audio

I need to go to Zero. Right now.

[There's the sound of hurried footsteps in the background; she's on her way to the stairs.]

I didn't do nothing and I don't plan to, but I have gotten confirmation that the demons and dark creatures here are after me. I ain't crazy or imagining things, and I ain't looking for signs and messages when there aren't any-- I got told straight out by Doctor Facilier that I pissed 'em off and I'm a goner. I don't know if any place is safe for me now, but I heard Zero's better than most.

[She takes a moment to catch her breath; she's still half-running.]

Please let me down. I wouldn't ask if it weren't an emergency; more important than life or death. It's not my body that's at stake, it's my immortal soul.

[She turns off the public feed and records a series of private messages, partially intended to be goodbye notes if things go badly. She knows people come back from the dead-- but she doesn't know if they come back from having their souls corrupted by creatures from hell.]

[filtered to Cambridge]

I'm gonna have to miss therapy for a while, I think. Unless you can come down to do it.

I know lots of people don't like you, and maybe some of 'em have good reasons; I don't know. But you were good to me and I think a lot about the things you said.

[filtered to Dillon]

You were the first person here who was as nice to me as you were, and that will always be real special to me. For as long as I live, I will never forget that you saw all I was but still liked me anyway. You were right about all the ugly stuff in me, but I been trying to be a little better, and that's because of you.

[filtered to Dillon and Simon]

I need your help-- please. Please. I don't know what to do. Is there a way to get rid of them? Can we cleanse the ship?

[filtered to Iris]

Can you come and visit me sometimes? I think I might be down there for a very long time, and I'm gonna miss you. More than anyone, maybe. If something happens to me, I want you to know that some of the people here have been nicer to me than anyone's ever been, and you were a real big part of that. And I didn't end up hating the Barge, even with all the terrible things.

[filtered to Mason]

In case I don't see you again for a while, or in case they get to me, I hope you don't forget what I said about you being good and being worth a lot-- 'cause I meant every word. You are the best inmate here and one of the best people too, and I won't forget all you did for me.

[filtered to Merlin]

I'm sorry. I tried. I didn't go after 'em again, but they found me anyway. I wanted to do right by you, I really did, but I don't know what's gonna happen now.

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I won't lash out. I already promised you I wouldn't attack people anymore, remember?

[Unfortunately, she isn't thinking about the fact that she's sometimes ruled by her anger.]

[Yeah, he's not letting that go.]

You promised that. And I believe that you honestly want to keep that promise. But you said yourself that you don't always give yourself time to think.

... No. I don't.

Mason told me that if something like this happened, and I thought a demon was coming after me, I should go to him or a warden. But I didn't want to do that, because I didn't want y'all to try to fight one without knowing what you were up against. And then that guy started saying those things, and it was on top of everything else, and I... I guess I panicked. Yeah.

Yeah.

[He squeezes her shoulder again.]

I think that Mason gave you good advice. And I would definitely fight a demon for you, if I needed to. I would protect you from anything that meant to hurt you.

And I do know what it means to do that.

[She sits up and leans against his shoulder.]

Then I think you're the only one I'd want to do that for me.

... And. Thank you. It's real nice to hear that, even though I'm hoping it'll never happen.

I'd rather it didn't either.

[He wraps an arm around her lightly.]

...I saw what you said to Doctor Cambridge, about not being able to do some jobs because you didn't know how?

Yeah. So I haven't picked yet, and I'm sorry about that. I think I found someone to do the school stuff with, though.

You did? [He brightens, pleased.] That's good. Who is it?

Her name's Barbara. I don't know her well, but I like her.

I don't know what to do about the jobs, though.

Barbara's very kind. I think you'll do well with her. And about the jobs, I didn't - if you choose something that you don't know how to do, you can learn. That's what I'd want for you, to learn something new.

You think someone would take me on and train me?

I would, if you came to the Infirmary. I think Scott would, if you wanted to work with animals. [The word 'veterinarian' hasn't penetrated deeply enough for him to use it much.] And Anya told me herself that she'd teach you, if you want to work in maintenance. I'm sure the others would say the same.

I like Anya.

Maybe I could try working with her and then try working with you, and see which I like better. In maintenance it'd just be fixing stuff, right? What could I do in the infirmary?

Probably just making sure that it's clean and tidy, to begin with. But I would teach you first aid, so you would be able to help anyone you find injured around the ship. Anya told me she'd be able to teach you about electrical things, and plumbing, and carpentry. That you would have your own projects to work on alongside the work of fixing broken things.

[He thinks it would be good for her to learn those kinds of skills, to be able to do something with her hands, to create something. But now, as ever, he'd like it best if she came to her own conclusions.]

... I wanna do the infirmary, with you. Is that okay?

[It had felt good-- stressful, but good-- when she'd thought she could heal people back at Litchfield. Maybe doing it for real would feel good, too.]

That's okay.

[It's at least a little more of the day that he can keep an eye on her, and right now that feels exceptionally valuable. Although what with everything that's happened he wonders if that's not partly her own reasoning as well. Or maybe he's just flattering himself.

He is only her fourth/fifth favourite, after all It still amuses him that she's been ranking.]

Shall we do that for -- a month? Then you can move onto something else, if you don't enjoy it.

[Oh, Merlin. You move up a spot or two every time she talks to you.]

Okay. But if I do enjoy it, can I stay?

[He smiles sidelong at her.]

Of course you can.

Thanks.

[She brings her arm up and slings it around his shoulders.]

You gonna stay here with me for a little bit?

[This requires a small degree of cooperation on his part; he's quite a bit taller than she is.]

Yes. If you'd like me to.

I do.

[She sighs, and closes her eyes.]

I'm glad you're my warden. And I'm glad you said you would fight to protect me. I'd fight for you, too.

Thank you. [He squeezes her shoulder.] Though I'd rather you didn't ever have to.

This is place is fucking dangerous, Merlin.

[Less than she seems intent on believing it is, but he takes her point.]

I have magic. It's easier for me to take care of myself.

It must be nice, having that.

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