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[abrightboy]

This is Bright. Leave a message.

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[greatoldjohn]

[ He lifts his wrist to the camera where what looks almost like a braided gold bracelet with rose beads. It doesn't look like hair. It's so tightly cooked that it looks like wire jewelry. ]

The question about washing her hands didn't sound good after calling it gross.

Why didn't you just ask her about germs?

And why did that even come up? What does hair have to do with any of that?

[abrightboy]

[He’s distracted peering at the bracelet] …I thought you heard the conversation. [He turns his attention more fully back to the conversation.] It just seemed unsanitary to source hair from any old place, not knowing where it came from or what… condition it was in. But that was secondary because she mentioned it. Before we got derailed by that and then interrupted, I just wanted to know more about it. I couldn’t picture it, but I’m on the lookout for something… unique. But, like I said, the more I asked about it, the more she mentioned anything but what it looked like. I’m interested in it.

[greatoldjohn]

I heard.

I don't understand why you'd question someone's hygiene because they were working with hair. I don't see the connection and without that connection, it comes off as insulting.

[ He shakes his head.]

I wouldn't have known you were interested, Malcolm. What you said and how you said it would have made me think you were disgusted. I did think that.

I asked because I know you.

[abrightboy]

Okay, I’ll apologize and explain the misunderstanding. Do you think she’d make a couple of them for my wedding? Like, if I give her the hair for them? How much does it take to make one?

[greatoldjohn]

[ John's shoulders visibly relax. ]

Thank you.

And I think if you apologize, she might be willing to make you and Will some. She loves her art. It doesn't take much.

...I don't think you need to explain the misunderstanding, though.

[abrightboy]

I don't? ...But you said what I said didn't sound like what I meant. If I don't explain the misunderstanding, won't she think I meant what it sounded like?

[greatoldjohn]

I think you can just say 'I didn't express my interest well' and leave it at that.

I've found that sometimes when you explain too much, people take it as an excuse. Or even feel like you're explaining how they're stupid not to have understood you.

I know because I know you. But she doesn't. So it would lean on trust you don't have with her yet and that's hard because you hurt her.

...it doesn't really help the apology, is what I'm saying.

[abrightboy]

Okay. Should I call her so she can hang up if she wants to or go see her in person? Oh! Or I could talk to her at work. She works in the counseling office now.

[greatoldjohn]

In person would be best: she can still walk out if she wants to.

And maybe... bring her a flower or a book of poetry as a peace offering, especially as you'd like her to make something for you. I think it would go a long way.

[abrightboy]

Okay. If that's what you think she'd like.

[greatoldjohn]

I think so.

She'll probably still be a little wary, but she trusts me.

[abrightboy]

Should I mention you? That doesn't make it seem less sincere? I wasn't going to bring up that you told me there was a problem. Is it better if I do?

[greatoldjohn]

I don't think so.

She knew I was going to talk to you; I said I would. No real sense if hiding it. It's not like you liked hurting her and I yelled at you.

You didn't realize how you sounded. You didn't intend to hurt her. I think as long as your intent is to apologize for hurting her and insulting something important to her and you keep that at the forefront, everything else is less important.

[abrightboy]

Okay. I'll give it a try.

[greatoldjohn]

If it helps...

Talking about her art to her is like you talking about your relationship with Will. If you keep that in mind when you're talking to her, I think you'll be okay.

[abrightboy]

I can do that. [He pauses.] ...Did you ever intervene like this with someone who said unkind things about my relationship with Will? [Because he's curious how they took it.]

[greatoldjohn]

[ Blink. ]

People said things about your relationship with Will?

[ John didn't really hear about any of that. ]

[abrightboy]

Quite a bit. But that was while he was an inmate and he's not one anymore, so it doesn't matter, right? Water under the bridge.

[greatoldjohn]

Oh. Well.

Yes, I'm glad it's over. I'm glad he's graduated too, for lots of reasons. But if that also makes it easier for you two, then I'm especially glad.

[abrightboy]

Mainly it means he's alive now and the Admiral can still vanish him off the ship, but not to anywhere I can't find him.

[greatoldjohn]

Exactly. And that's the important part.

The Admiral dropped Natalie but I know where she is and I can go see her. Knowing she's alive and okay: that's more important than anything.

[abrightboy]

Exactly; that's why we want a ship that we can use to visit anyone we want. The connections we form here are precious.

[greatoldjohn]

Hopefully we'll be able to do something like that too, Arthur and I. But there's a few other deals we have to do first.

[abrightboy]

There doesn't seem to be a shortage of inmates to help. Justine is.... what, your third?

[greatoldjohn]

[ Another blink. ]

Justine's not my inmate. She's just... someone I'm very close to.

Astarion's still my inmate.