tlv inbox

[superniceone]

Hey, uh. It's Gustave. I'll get back to you when I can.

[ic inbox for thelastvoyages - happy for comm threads or action spam if you're catching him around the barge.]

Comments

[escapeartiste]

She's already been here for a few weeks.

[Which is easier to state than question the avoidance.]

I already told her everything.

Well

she read your journal and we talked a little.

['Talked'......]

[superniceone]

[if you could see the tips of gustave's ears through the fluff of hair, you'd be able to see the way the've gone slightly pink.]

I can't imagine it's sitting well with her. Any of it. It's just—

[he exhales. stalls by taking a sip of his coffee.]

It's all secondhand for me, too. I don't know if I'm— qualified to talk her through any of this.

[escapeartiste]

[Her pointed expression and eye roll gives away what she plans to type before her words are even offered.]

Yes, and the inmate teenager is.

[She wouldn't usually bring up the 'inmate' position but something else is grinding at her. But it might not be the right time for that...]

You're both dealing with the same thing. I don't understand. Why wouldn't you be qualified?

[Maybe they're talking about two different things?]

[superniceone]

Yes, well, the inmate teenager shouldn't be scolding the man who is still legally her brother, you know, but here we are.

[he shakes his head, though, clearly indicating that it was meant lightheartedly.]

I don't know. I'm glad she's here. Beyond belief, genuinely. [gustave hesitates, then admits:] I just can't shake the feeling that I let you all down. I'll get over it.

[escapeartiste]

I think that's a perfectly good reason to scold you. Besides, if I don't, then who will?

[It's definitely in the little sister job title. Fine print. Just ask Verso.

But, more seriously. She looks at him a moment and her expression drops. She shakes her head.]

You didn't let anyone down. No one thinks that.

And you're here now so

maybe we can still fix everything.

[superniceone]

I know, I know. It sounds silly when I say it out loud. [which is exactly why he's never said it out loud. he gustave nudges her slightly.] I don't know how I feel about you being the one to give me pep talks. Feels a bit like it's going in the wrong direction.

[but he knows she's going to have sass to say about that, so he changes the subject quite abruptly.]

What would be your first request? If you were made a warden. Surely you've considered it.

[escapeartiste]

[The topic change is smart, it stops her from typing up another quip and she clearly needs a moment to think. There's a shrug. She's both thought about it and has decided it's pretty much an impossibility despite others assuring her otherwise.]

You mean a deal? I don't know.

[She does. She totally knows. She just doesn't know if she should say it.]

[superniceone]

[he doesn't believe you.]

Alright, then make something up. Sky's the limit, right?

[escapeartiste]

[rude.

And yet she still hesitates a little. But she's more honest this time. It's so very obvious she's thought about it at length.]

Fix the canvas. Make it so it can't be destroyed. And it doesn't kill Painters if we stay too long.

[superniceone]

[oof. directly antithetical to his own deal, but to his credit, the way he just smiles a little sadly at that answer is probably an expected reaction either way.]

I can't imagine what it must be like. Being able to to Paint, I mean. It seems like you took to it quickly.

[escapeartiste]

[Ohh.. she does not like that. Her mouth twists to the side and she shakes her head again, just slightly.]

Not really. I'm

actually pretty terrible at it.

[Great vote of confidence for someone that could run around playing god with a skill she's awful at.]

[superniceone]

[gustave makes a face at her, turning slightly in his seat to face her better.]

Oh, please, take the compliment. Do you think I would have been able to bring Lune or Sciel back the way you did? They'd both have— seven fingers on each hand.

[escapeartiste]

[That cracks a smile out of her but she's still shaking her head.]

Copying is easier. But I still messed that up at first.

Verso had to remind me.

[superniceone]

[gustave just shakes his head again, clearly dismissive.]

And? 'Needing a reminder' makes you terrible, now?

[escapeartiste]

Yeah? It's kind of basic stuff.

[She understands what he's trying to do. Maybe. But seriously?]

Besides, how would you know? You haven't even seen me paint.

[superniceone]

No, but I read what you wrote about it. [is he trying to hype her up? obviously, yes, but he's absolutely genuine, too.] Even Lune has to warm up before she starts singing, you know. It's okay to be a little proud.

[escapeartiste]

[You get a shrug. Just a shrug. They certainly got off-topic real quick.]

[superniceone]

[gustave shrugs in turn, leaning back with his coffee now.] Suppose this is your way of telling me I haven't been bragging about you to the neighbours enough.

[escapeartiste]

[C R I N G E]

You wouldn't.

[Don't you dare.]

[superniceone]

I'm not your warden. I'm not obligated to behave with any sense of decorum. [it's an empty threat, but it's one he's allowed to make as a proud big brother, ok.]

[escapeartiste]

[She rolls her eye and shakes her head.

So about that topic.]

Speaking of wardens

how's your temporary inmate this time?

[superniceone]

I'm starting to feel like I should have finished my coffee before I sat down.

[which is probably answer enough.]

[escapeartiste]

[It's not an interrogation!]

That bad, huh?

[superniceone]

I think he's a recent arrival? I reached out this morning.

[anything can be an interrogation when you're a white man with a guilty conscience.]

[escapeartiste]

I guess it'd be a bit harder when they're new.

I don't really think there's anything I can do but, if there is something

tell me, okay?

I want to help.