2nd Stake // Getting To Know You

[400yearsofsurvival]

[ Video ]

[ He seems to be far calmer than he'd been in the arena. Certainly better rested. His face far softer and more open than his counterpart. He's been on this barge now as long as he'd been on the other, and he figures it's time to address everyone. He even smiles. A warm and honest smile. ]

I'm sure most of you know who I am. Or at least, who I was. And that's why I'm comin' to you now. If we're headed back, like the Admiral says, I wanna make sure you've got ways of holdin' off that evil bastard. But I gotta know a bit more of what he's like. To make sure he's...like the ones I dealt with, back in my world.

I also have a small request. My room it's...not pleasant. Mikhail's been kind enough to let me use his, but I can't keep imposing on him. If there's anyone with a bit of floor space or anythin' in their cabin I could use on a night here or there, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[ Spam ]

[ He'd taken really rather well to being a warden. Even if Kira and Dean still tried to torment him. Even if there were things that didn't sit well with him, still. His room was the epitome of his worst nightmare. His other self retained is same taste in clothes. He made sure to wash everything, twice, before wearing it.

Most of his days were spent going about his wardenly duties. Helping to clean the ship. Trying to get Kira to do the same. He was determined to prove he was an asset her. Determined to not go back. Several times a day, he could be found either in the green house or in CES. Always during the daylight hours. He seemed most at peace in these places. ]

Comments

[video]

[theresalwayshope]

[Jerry? Your Alpha is pouting at you. Hard.]

You're asking the rest of the ship for a place to crash before me? [He's her Beta. Her Jerry. The pout and the puppy eyes are a deadly combination.]

[video]

[400yearsofsurvival]

[ And he's grateful, he really is. But those puppy eyes are impervious to his sense of honor, Allison. They won't work on him. Okay, maybe he feels a little guilty. That's unfair! ]

Well, there's some who might question' a grown bloke crashin' with in the room of a teenage girl.

[video]

[theresalwayshope]

You're not a grown bloke, you're...mine. [And it's perfectly rational in Allison's wolf-dominated mind, but she's not so far gone that she doesn't realize that anyone even slightly more civilized won't see it that way.

She bares her teeth at him a little: a familiar gesture of fond annoyance accompanied by an equally affectionate, kittenish growl.]

My cabin has an office and a living room. With a big couch that's very comfy. Speaking from experience, I accidentally slept on it last night with the dog and the rabbits.

[Because clearly, her counterpart having pets or caring for the pets of others is very strange...or at least it is to the wild wolf girl, as her vaguely perplexed tone indicates.]

[video]

[400yearsofsurvival]

The offer's much appreciated, Allison. It really is.

[ He figured the offer was as much about pack and protection as it was just wanting to give him a place to stay. ]

We're safe here. I'll be fine findin' someone...more appropriate.

[ He didn't want to offend her. But he didn't want to lie to her, either. ]

[video]

[theresalwayshope]

[Allison growled again, but her impatience melted into a smile she tried to fight as she smacked a hand against her leg for emphasis.]

Jerry Dandridge, get your stupid, noble, ugly human ass over here and stay with me! See? I even said you're ugly. Nothing inappropriate going on over here.

[She's dissolved into giggles at this point, but they die away quickly, leaving her still smiling but more serious.]

Please, Jerry? It's not just about safety, it's about...pack. [She wrinkles her nose unpleasantly.] You'll smell awful if you sleep somewhere else.

[And by 'awful,' she means he'll smell like someone unfamiliar and unknown...not like pack, not like her, a purely animal drive to claim Jerry as her own.

To care for him, shelter him...she's still a Beta, but the instincts of the Alpha that go along with the power building in her are hard to resist.]

[americasdirtiest]

You can stay, man. I can't say I love the decor in yours, but it's liveable.

[400yearsofsurvival]

Yours is livable. But honest, I can't keep occupyin' your space, mate. If we're stuck here, we gotta find more permanent solutions.

[americasdirtiest]

[His place -- Mickey's place -- is a shithole, to be honest, but it's true that it is at least a human one. A human one with creaking floorboards, ancient and filthy furniture, and an army's worth of hidden weapons, but human all the same.]

Like crashing in someone else's room?

[Private]

Look, um... I don't really want to go back there either way, so. You know. Enjoy it. Keep an eye on all those guns for me.

[private]

[400yearsofsurvival]

It'll be good to have those if we need them but I'd kinda prefer somewhere...a bit...[ He shook his head. He didn't want to offend Mikhail. So he just settled on finishing the statement with a shrug. ]

[surfaceshine]

...are you seriously offering to give hunting pointers right now?

[400yearsofsurvival]

Why wouldn't I?

[surfaceshine]

[He laughs.]

Sorry. I'm sorry. I don't mean to - [Laugh again, then grin. He certainly does.]

No really, by all means. Anything is better than nothing. Go on.

[400yearsofsurvival]

[ Nope. Not going to let Dean's mockery get to him. He simply endures it, lips pressed firmly together. ]

It wouldn't help you, Dean.

[punched_hitler]

[He considers this a long time before replying. But eventually, he does.]

Bucky's cabin has bunk beds. I'm staying there - you can have the other one if you still need a place to sleep.

[There might be a catch or two, but it's mainly that you don't go in there without him.]

Either way... I can tell you a little more about him, if you want to hear it. But I don't know him well.

[400yearsofsurvival]

[ The more Steve talks, the more concerned he looks. He doesn't want to be rude, but there's a lot in there that just doesn't sit right. ]

If he's already got you, I wouldn't wanna impose.

[punched_hitler]

Oh - no. Actually, he's in my room.

[He tries to give this wry smile, but it falls a little flat.]

So it's just me and an extra bed in here, is what I meant.

[400yearsofsurvival]

[ Well, didn't that sound familiar. And he is far from reassured. ]

All the more reason.

I'm guessing it's not his room? The way mine isn't...well, mine.

[mistconduct]

Hey, Jer-Bear. Long time no see.

[400yearsofsurvival]

Oh, hey, Chris.

Wait...which Chris are you?

[mistconduct]

The one that calls you Jer-Bear.


Wait, other me doesn't pull that shit too, does he? Goddamn copycat.

[400yearsofsurvival]

He may have, I got called a lot of things. So you're the one I talked to in the jungle, then?

[video]

[themissingpiece]

If you haven't found a place, I got a whole extra bed in my cabin.

I didn't get to meet the other you. I gathered he was a vampire from looking at old posts. Dunno if he's the kind I've worked with before.

[400yearsofsurvival]

[ He nods, looking a little ill. Because that concept will never sit well with him. ]

Yeah...and if he's the same as what I've dealt with, he...was a nasty one.

I appreciate the offer, though. What cabin are you in?

[themissingpiece]

All predator, huh.

Level four, cabin thirteen. It's hotel room but I got two beds and something that passes for a kitchen.

Oh, yeah. Don't touch the red trunk.

[400yearsofsurvival]

And the teeth to prove it.

[ He nodded at the invitation. He'd keep it in mind. ]

Name's Jerry, by the way.