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[abrightboy]

This is Bright. Leave a message.

Comments

[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.

[abrightboy]

Oh, well that's good. Connections. Just. Don't tell just anyone about it. Some people here really think it's bad.

[greatoldjohn]

You don't need to tell me.

One of her friends got upset about it already. I had to tell her warden just because she basically threatened me.

[abrightboy]

Threatened you? Why? You're always kind to everyone; it's not like you're going to hurt her.

[greatoldjohn]

That's not what her friend thinks.

Because I'm not human. Because I used to be a thing that drove people mad.

[ He's not naming names, because this isn't about ruining anyone's reputation or relationships. People sometimes do stupid shit and spreading it around isn't fair to them, especially when they're here to learn better. Especially when people misunderstand so easily down a grapevine. But he can talk about it like this, as something that happened to him. ]

I understand the concern. I just wish they'd actually talked to me instead of deciding I was a threat. It was frustrating.

[abrightboy]

I've heard of that happening here. Especially to non-humans by humans who fought anything non-human at home. I'm sorry.

[greatoldjohn]

It's okay.

[ A huff. ]

I just wish they understood that it works both ways. None of them seem to get that.

[abrightboy]

Everyone's worldview starts off naturally self-centric. ...Some people's stay that way.

[greatoldjohn]

I know.

I hope they get better. I don't think it's healthy for them.

[abrightboy]

It's not. Not for the people around them either.

[greatoldjohn]

That's what I was worried about. Justine getting hurt by it.

[abrightboy]

She has you to protect her.

[greatoldjohn]

I'm trying.

[ And those words are aching with how much he wants to make sure she graduates, that she's treated well, that she's happy. It matters so much to him. ]

[abrightboy]

Clearly you are. I'll find her. I'm sure you'll hear how it goes.